It just so happened that the burbot was in the shadow of its more famous cod relative. Meanwhile, the benefits of the use of burbot – an indisputable fact. Its meat is very tasty, tender and nutritious, and the liver is even healthier than other cod. This amazing fish seemed to be lost in the expanses of water: while all its closest relatives enjoy the salty seas, burbot was “attributed” to the northern rivers and lakes. It is said that in Siberia the 30-kilogram giants are not very surprised by the fishermen, although officially the largest one is considered to be a carcass weighing 29 kg and 970 g, caught in 1976 on the Taimyr Peninsula. By the way, adult nalimov’s skin is so strong that in olden times it was used as a material for expensive boots. And this is not all interesting facts about this fish.
General characteristics
Burbot is a freshwater fish common in rivers and lakes. This is the only representative of cod, not chosen the depths of the sea, and freshwater. But the burb will choose not every river with its house. He will always give preference to cold waters, in warm reservoirs this fish perishes.
This fish will be recognized by an elongated carcass covered with miniature scales. Her head is small, slightly flattened, with a large mouth, in which small teeth are visible. A characteristic feature of the burbot is a mustache placed directly under the mouth. And another pair of antennae, but considerably smaller in size, is located on either side of the nostrils. The back of this fish is decorated with two fins: one is bigger, the other is small. A dark stripe runs along the spine line, usually of an olive-brown color. Part of the abdomen can also be colored green-gray or olive-brown. But the head, tail and sides of the fish can be of various shades: from almost white or yellow to almost black.
Adult burbot can reach almost one and a half meters in length and weigh up to 20 kilograms. The terrain also affects the parameters of fish: the farther from the north, the finer the burbot.
As already mentioned, burbot usually live in lakes and cold-water rivers. They love the sandy and rocky bottom, where they spend a lot of time. Also, fish can hide in the roots of trees growing on the banks and washed by water, under boulders.
In search of food, this river resident goes, as a rule, at night, when the pond cools down as much as possible. In hot weather, burbot activity is reduced. This representative of cod is a predatory fish. And his food, as a rule, is smaller fish, crayfish, frogs, snails, small mammals and insects. Therefore, earthworms, unsalted lard, fish fillet, liver, and offal of birds are the best bait for hunting him.
The spawning period of burbot lasts during the coldest period of the year – from December to March. In warm winters, the fish do not spawn. Burbot lay their offspring under the ice – the female spawns directly in the water. “Cubs” are born through 30-128 days (depending on water temperature) and in the first year of life the fry grow only by 10-12, see. The next year, the young will grow to 10, see. For the third summer, they turn into an adult fish. The average lifespan of burbot is 20 years. Although, given the high industrial popularity of this species, probably not so many of these fish live to old age.
Hunting for burbot lasts a whole year, but still the peak of biting – starting in October and throughout the winter. The easiest way is to go online at night, until 5 hours of the morning. Most of all burbot is found in areas of Alaska, Scandinavia, the Baltic states, in the basins of the Baltic, Caspian and White seas. You should count on good catches in the waters of Ob, Yenisei, Cupid, Lena. But in the UK and Poland, where once there was a lot of this fish, today burbot is rare.
Nutritional characteristics
Many people love this fish for tasty white meat and a small amount of bones. By the way, the taste of burbot reminds lobster. Therefore, in America, this fish is often called “lobsters for the poor.” Fillet is lean, and almost all fat reserves are concentrated in the liver burbot. But the wrong cooked fillet of this fish can be very dangerous to health. This is due to the fact that burbot is often the carrier of dangerous tapeworms.
Burbot meat is not only tasty, but also healthy. In addition to huge reserves of protein, the fillet contains a lot of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium. The vitamins contained in this fish are mainly group B, A, D, E. As for the energy value, burbot belongs to dietary products: 100 g of fillet contains only 90 kcal.
The uniqueness of burbot is that more than 10% of their total weight is the liver, which is not only a delicious delicacy, but also a rich source of healthy fats for humans. By the way, the burbot liver is considered more nutritious than the liver of its more famous cod cousin. Burbot is almost 4 times the best source of vitamin D and contains several times more vitamin A than cod.
The fat contained in its liver is extremely beneficial for the human nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Health benefits
Probably, many have heard that fish is one of the most useful products for humans. Some nutritionists say that fish can be even healthier than meat. And all because it is an easily digestible dietary product that contains almost all the substances that the body needs to support life.
But we discard common phrases and look at the advantages of this fish in more detail. What is the potential benefit of burbot for a person? Below are only the most obvious benefits.
The cardiovascular system
Liver and burbot fillets, like other fish, contain dietary fatty acids, which, according to scientists, have many advantages for the cardiovascular system. Data from scientific experiments indicate that people who regularly consume fish – freshwater and marine, are less prone to cardiological diseases. And all because the unique composition of the fish fillet protects against increasing cholesterol, prevents the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, strengthens blood vessels, including coronary arteries.
Vision
Of course, burbot can hardly be called the best product for improving vision. Meanwhile, it also cannot be called food useless to the eyes. In the fish fillet, scientists found many useful minerals and vitamins, including reserves of vitamin A (the one that is found in large quantities in carrots and makes it incredibly useful for the functioning of the eyes).
Bones and teeth
Remember, it has already been said that burbot, like sturgeon, flounder, perch, and indeed any other fish, is one of the best sources of protein. And now it’s worth reminding once again that, in addition to protein, burbot fillet contains calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and many other nutrients. By acting on the body in a complex, they not only strengthen bone tissue, but also contribute to healthy bone growth. And this is already an extremely important point for children, as well as persons of age who are at risk of developing osteoporosis, arthritis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
For pregnant
Fillet and liver of burbot contain most of the substances that future mothers need. Doctors advise pregnant women to eat fish at least twice a week. This ensures that the body of the expectant mother and her baby receives vital components.
Protection against early aging
Minerals and vitamins contained in burbot meat normalize metabolic processes, including those occurring in skin cells. The beneficial mineral and vitamin composition of the fish nourishes skin cells, prevents the appearance of early wrinkles, and relieves acne.
For losing weight
Burbot is a useful component of the diet for people who want to lose weight. This fish belongs to low-calorie protein foods, which means it is an ideal ingredient for any protein diet for weight loss. Protein-rich burbot dishes provide a feeling of fullness for a long time, in addition, they supply the body with the necessary minerals, micro- and macroelements.
Burbot in traditional medicine
In addition to being a tasty and nutritious product, burbim in ancient times served as a cure for many diseases. The healing properties of burbot are actually surprising, the ancient healers healed with its help a variety of diseases: from cataracts to alcoholism. Here are some of the most interesting recipes.
Treatment of cataracts
In ancient times, healers took a very fresh liver of burbot (usually from freshly caught fish), cut it into pieces, put it into a glass jar and filled it with water from a spring or melted snow. After that, healers tightly closed the vessel and every day for 7 days exhibited it in the sun. After such procedures, a layer of fat should form on the surface of the mixture. This is the one that must be carefully collected and filtered through gauze folded at least in the 4 layer. It is said that if this fat is instilled into 30 1 days for a drop in the eye, a cataract can be cured.
From alcoholism
With the help of burbot it was once treated for alcoholism. Healers say that this fish secretes mucus with a special composition. And if a person who abuses alcohol eats baked meat every day, he will get rid of his addiction.
Frostbite
This recipe has got from the Yakut healers. They had their own unique therapy for treating frostbitten limbs. First, the damaged areas should be smeared with butter, and then apply ointment from the liver burbot. You can mix the liver and butter, or simply apply a piece of liver to the sore spot.
For the treatment of the thyroid gland
An enlarged thyroid can also be cured with burbot. So, at least, healers once did. For treatment it is necessary to use a decoction of fresh burbot daily. It is important that the drug consists solely of two ingredients: water and fish. No spices or salt can be added.
Treatment of a hernia
Folk healers advise to drink a decoction of burbot as well for hernias. For treatment daily take freshly prepared broth. A day is advised to drink at least 500 ml of broth. But you need to cook it in a special way: the fish is boiled over low heat in not too much water for 3 hours.
Burbot in cooking
Before preparing any dish, the carcass should be cleaned from the gills, scales, viscera. The easiest way to cook is to bake in the oven. For this fillet is enough to rub with spices, grease with vegetable oil and arrange in the oven. Alternatively, before baking, the belly of the fish can be filled with greens and vegetables. So that the fish is not dry, cook it better in foil. Here are some more interesting ideas for the holiday table.
Fish with sour cream
Peel the burbot carcass, wash, cut into pieces and fry until crust in vegetable oil. Separate the onion, chopped rings, and carrots. Add spices and sour cream to vegetables. Reduce heat and place portioned fish on a vegetable “pillow”. All together under a closed lid, cook over low heat for another 10 minutes. Before serving, garnish with greens.
Fried liver burbot
For starters, it is important to choose the right liver burbot. It should be a delicate cream color, without white spots and damage. Clean, rinse, blot the product with a paper towel. Salt on both sides, roll in loaves of crumbs and cook in very strongly heated olive oil. Serve sprinkled with green onions.
Liver pate
Boil the liver in salted water. Separate stew onions and carrots, boil eggs. Put all the ingredients in a blender, add spices and, if desired, canned green peas. Grind to a paste consistency.
Burbot – one of the most voracious fish. And this is perhaps the most musical inhabitants of the waters. They can spend hours listening to the bells. Researchers can not yet explain what caused such a strange addiction in this fish, but confirm this phenomenon. Here it is, an amazing freshwater representative of cod – delicious, healthy and … musical.
