Navaga fish: how it looks and where it is found, the benefits and which family it belongs to

Navaga is a northern marine fish that belongs to the Cod family. Individuals on average reach a length of 30-40 centimeters and weigh about 500 grams. This fish is considered cold-loving. There are 2 types of saffron cod - northern and Far Eastern. The first individual lives in the Pacific Ocean, and the second - near the Arctic coast of Siberia. The meat of this fish contains many valuable substances, and therefore brings great benefits to the body.

Description of the fish

Navaga is northern and Far Eastern. Each of the varieties is characterized by its own characteristics.

Appearance

Navaga is characterized by a rounded body shape with a clear narrowing towards the tail. A distinctive feature of the fish is considered to be a protruding jaw, at the bottom of which there is a pair of whiskers. Against the background of the general dimensions, the head looks small. The fish has 3 dorsal fins, which differ in marsh color.

The torso has a silver-violet hue. In this case, the abdomen is white. The scales are small in size. It doesn't sting and is easy to clean. The composition of meat includes many valuable components. Related to this is the extraordinary benefits of this product.

Habitat

Navaga has 2 species that live in different places:

1. Northern - lives in the coastal regions of the Far North. This fish is found in the Kara and White seas. It is also found in the Laptev Sea.
2. Far Eastern - found in the seas of the Pacific Ocean. It is found in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Also, the fish lives in the Japanese and Okhotsk.

Navaga is considered a benthic and cold-loving individual. At the same time, it is mainly found at a shallow depth, which does not exceed 30-60 meters. In most cases, these individuals prefer coastal areas.

Navaga is not a river fish. However, sometimes it can be seen in rivers and fresh lakes that have access to the sea. This is due to strong tides in the habitats.

Features of meat

This is a sea fish that has very tasty meat. In addition, saffron cod can be safely included in the diet. So that the fish does not lose its beneficial properties and taste, it should be cooked a little frozen.

Fresh fish can only be found in coastal regions. The northern variety is considered more delicious. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that after 2-3 months after the catch, the quality characteristics of the meat deteriorate significantly.Therefore, experienced chefs are advised to purchase the product in season. In this case, the fish will have a delicate and sweet taste. There will be no bitterness or smell of fish oil in it. Far Eastern saffron cod can be bought all year round. This species is characterized by tougher meat.

Bony

Consumers say that the northern and Far Eastern navaga are practically devoid of small bones. The backbone and cartilaginous bones can be easily separated from the carcass after heat treatment. Thanks to this, it is quite possible to give fish to children. Moreover, it is a source of proteins that are easily digested. Due to the fact that there are no small bones in the meat, its fillet can be used for cooking minced fish.

Chemical composition

Navaga meat looks quite light. It does not belong to fatty varieties, is easily digestible and includes many valuable components. These include the following:

1. Macronutrients - includes magnesium, sodium, potassium. It also contains chlorine, phosphorus, calcium.
2. Trace elements - iodine, selenium, and iron are present in meat. The fish also includes iodine.
3. Vitamins - A, E, D. Meat also contains folic acid and vitamin PP.
4. Essential amino acids - these include arginine, methionine, valine. In addition, navaga includes threonine and tryptophan.
5. Nessential Amino Acids - Alanine is in this category. The product also contains glutamic and aspartic acids.

The benefits of navaga are also associated with its low calorie content. At the same time, it contains a large amount of proteins. These features allow the product to be included in low-calorie diets. It can also be part of a diet that helps build muscle.

100 grams of Far Eastern navaga contains 68.5 kilocalories. The northern variety has a higher energy value. There are 91.2 kilocalories in 100 grams of this product.

This fish contains relatively few omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. But in combination with other useful elements, the product helps prevent atherosclerosis and pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.

Useful and harmful properties

Navaga is found in cold waters and contains a large number of valuable components. This is related to its useful properties. Regular use of the product helps to achieve the following effects:

1. Improve memory and psychomotor reactions.
2. Activate metabolism.
3. Normalize blood cholesterol levels.
4. Stimulate the immune system.
5. Support the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
6. Normalize the state of the endocrine system and improve the functioning of the thyroid gland.
7. Strengthen the nervous system and increase the body's resistance to stress.
8. Slow down the aging process.

With the regular use of navaga, it is possible to maintain normal functioning of the body and prevent the occurrence of abnormal processes. Therefore, its meat is often used in medical nutrition.

Harm from the use of the product is possible only in certain situations:

• in case of long and improper storage;
• with repeated defrosting and freezing;
• when fishing in environmentally unfavorable conditions.

It should be borne in mind that marine life is capable of accumulating heavy metals and other harmful components that are present in the aquatic environment. The older the fish, the higher the risk of contamination with toxins.

Also, fish that is cooked in a lot of fat can be harmful.This makes the product more nutritious. In addition, fried or smoked navaga is harmful. At the same time, the benefits of fresh fish, which is properly cooked, are obvious. Such a product has practically no restrictions. The exception is the presence of intolerance to seafood and animal proteins.

For mothers

In the fibers of the pulp of navaga there is docosahexaenoic acid, which is useful for pregnant and lactating women. This substance affects the development of the brain and nervous system of the fetus. It promotes the laying of the organ of vision and ensures the correct formation of the cardiovascular system.

Navaga also benefits the woman herself. It helps prevent anemia and serves as an excellent prevention of postpartum depression. If a pregnant woman consumes fish, there is a high chance that the child will tolerate this product normally.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionNursing mothers need to be careful when introducing this fish into the diet in the first month after childbirth. It is important to ensure that the child does not experience allergic reactions.

For kids

This fish from the Cod family can be given to children from 2 years of age. It is important to ensure that the product is fresh and properly cooked. The following components are present in fish pulp:

• calcium and phosphorus - these substances are required for the full development of bone tissue and brain;
• vitamin D - contributes to the full absorption of calcium;
• trace elements - the product includes selenium, iron, iodine and a large number of other valuable components.

These substances help prevent many dangerous diseases - rickets, hypovitaminosis, iron deficiency anemia. In addition, they strengthen the immune system and increase resistance to viral infections.A child who eats fish at least twice a week develops better, less often more and easily adapts to the children's team.

For men

Navaga has antioxidant properties that can prevent or at least slow down abnormal changes in the prostate gland in men. Therefore, the representatives of the stronger sex need to systematically include this product in their diet.

It should be borne in mind that an insufficiently active lifestyle negatively affects the structure of muscle tissue and leads to early aging. The use of White Sea navaga helps to keep muscles in good shape. The protein contained in the composition improves their structure and prevents tissue sagging. With a high intellectual load, regular use of navaga improves memory, activates the brain, and strengthens the nervous system.

For the elderly

This product helps to avoid the development of senile dementia and other brain abnormalities. It also protects against sagging muscle tissue and increased bone fragility. To obtain such results, saffron cod should be included in the diet at least 2-3 times a week. Navaga also has a positive effect on the work of the heart and blood vessels. Useful for the elderly and antioxidant characteristics of fish.

Other useful properties

Regular use of navaga helps with such pathologies:

1. Problems in the thyroid gland. This product contains a lot of iodine and vitamin D. Thanks to this, it supports the functioning of the most important endocrine organ.
2. Atherosclerosis, heart problems, arterial hypertension. Eating fish helps to stabilize the functioning of the cardiovascular system due to its high content of fatty acids.
3. Depressive disorders and mental disorders. Such pathologies are more successfully treated if you add foods that contain a lot of omega-3 acids to the diet.

The product also helps to avoid the development of tumors of the colon, breast, prostate, kidneys, liver and other internal organs.

Tips for choosing fish

To choose a quality product, you need to pay attention to the following features:

1. The frozen carcass should not be covered with a significant ice crust. This indicates the repeated freezing of fish.
2. It is important that the flesh is white and does not have a grayish tint. It is also worth paying attention to the abdomen. It should also be white, without a rusty tint. It indicates that the fats have oxidized, and the product has begun to deteriorate.
3. Frozen fish should not have a sharp specific smell. Also, it should not have a pronounced aroma of spices. All this indicates that the sellers are trying to hide the signs of damage to the product.
4. It can be hard to see the eyes of frozen fish. However, it is quite possible to determine their transparency. If navaga has cloudy eyes, this indicates that its expiration date has expired.

If the carcass is thawed after purchase, it must be cooked on the same day. The frozen product must be immediately put into the freezer.

Cooking recipes

In order for saffron cod to retain the maximum benefit, it must be properly cooked. This product can be baked, stewed or fried. In this case, it is worth taking into account the following features:

1. Before starting cooking, it is important to correctly butcher the carcass. In this case, you need to get rid of the insides. It is also worth removing the scales and fins. Of no small importance is the removal of the black film from the surface of the internal organs.Many housewives also clean their heads. However, it is acceptable to use it for making fish soup.
2. After cutting the carcass, you can sprinkle it with spices. This fish goes well with rosemary and thyme. A mixture of peppers is also a great option. After that, the carcass can be s alted and fried.
3. If you want to get a more dietary dish, you should put the fish on foil, pour over lemon juice and put it in the oven to bake.
4. Navaga can be cut into pieces, poured with sour cream sauce and stewed. To do this, it is recommended to lightly fry the onions with carrots, then place the fish rolled in flour in the pan and pour sour cream. The cooking time for this dish is 20-25 minutes.
5. Children are great with fish cakes. To do this, navaga needs to be cleaned of entrails and bones and chopped with a small meat grinder. Add white bread, chopped onion and spices to minced fish.These meatballs can be fried or baked. Fish cakes or meatballs go well with side dishes of rice, potatoes or pasta. They can be served with vegetable salads and various sauces.

This fish is perfect for grilling. It makes a wonderful barbecue. This dish has a juicy and delicate taste. Navaga can also be used to make fish salads and casseroles.

Besides this, fish can be marinated. To do this, navaga needs to be fried, poured with marinade and left for 2 days. This appetizer has been very popular in the past. It was often served in Moscow restaurants.

Navaga liver is an independent delicacy product, which is sold in a separate package. The caviar of this fish is also often used in cooking. From it, in particular, very tasty pancakes are prepared.

Navaga is a tasty and he althy fish that contains many valuable ingredients.At the same time, it can be included in your diet for pregnant and lactating women, children, men. Navaga also benefits the elderly. In order for the fish to retain the maximum of valuable components, it must be cooked correctly.

Recommended