Boops boops is a variety of edible fish which survives in the waters of Black Sea, Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This fish is also known as bogue and its name in many European languages translates to bug eyes. This fish is often prepared and consumed as a side dish with rice preparations. It is one of the favorite edible fishes consumed in homes around Europe because of its yearlong availability. Today it has become an integral part of the Mediterranean diet.
Bogue is also offered at many restaurants and is regularly cooked in homes around the Latin American countries. They are especially considered good for consumption during the fall season due to their enhanced taste.
Etymology
The name of this fish is derived from the Greek word Voops which means big eyes. The eyes of the fish are bigger than its body. This name was laid in reference to the appearance of the fish. The fish is mostly identified by its long golden strips which run along the body.
Culinary Usage
It is an integral feature in many Mediterranean and Latin food cultures where it is added to the sauces, curries, broths, and sometimes added to the curries in the form of croquettes. Bogue is a staple food in the Canary Islands where it is salted, dried, fried or baked or salted and served after seasoning.
Methods of Preparation
Bogue fish is very slim and can be easily cooked. It can be prepared into any dish by following these preparatory methods-
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Broiling – The fish is cut into fillets which are placed on the baking tray over a broiler and then cooked for about 2-5 minutes until it gets moist in the center. Sometimes the fillets are drenched in lemon juice or any other spicy liquid before broiling.
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Frying – The bogue fish is cleaned and cut into the fillets and fried in the oil or butter. It is typically fried in the oil to cut down the calories. The fish is marinated or dredged in seasoning mix prior to frying. It is deep fried until it browns on both the sides. Sometimes the fish fillets are dipped into egg prior to frying. This breaded fish is served as a snack.
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Baking – The boops boops fillets are dredged in spicy seasonings or sometimes marinated in the seasonings mixture prior to baking in the oven. The fish is baked for about 2-5 minutes depending on its size until it turns soft in the center.
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Boiling – The fish fillets are lightly boiled and crumbled to make the fish balls. The fish balls are cooked in the broth containing various sauces and ingredients like wine, vinegar, etc.
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Pan –Frying – The fish fillets are added to the frying pan along with some oil and fried until it becomes soft. It is not deep fried but only softened by this method.
Boops Boops Recipes
Following are some of popular recipes containing bogue fish-
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Boghe al Pomodoro- This is a typical Italian preparation in which the bogue fillets are cooked in tomato sauce. Apart from bogue fillets and plum tomatoes, ingredients like white onion, parsley, olive oil, salt and pepper are required to make the dish. The fish curry is garnished with parsley and served with toasted bread.
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Garum – This is a fermented fish sauce which was a regular condiment in the ancient Roman, ancient Byzantine and Greek cuisines. It was prepared by boiling bogue fish in the broth containing spices.
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Bogue in Walnut sauce – This fish croquettes are cooked in walnut sauce and the dish is served after garnishing with extra walnuts. The fish is flaked and turned into balls by rubbing between palms. The fish balls are then dipped in egg and breadcrumb and fried before cooking in walnut sauce.
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Bogue in Wine Sauce – This recipe can also be repeated with fishes like white bait, or red mullet. The fish is first fried and then cooked in wine sauce. The dish is served over traditional bread or rice.
Health Benefits
The boops boops fish is integral part of the Meditteranean diet which is known for its health benefits. Some of the health benefits offered by bogue fish are –
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Boosts Cardiovascular Health – The fish is enriched with omega -3 fatty acids which help to regularize the cardiovascular health by regulating the blood clotting and constricting the blood vessels.
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Contributes to Neurological Development – The nutrients in this fish play very essential role in development of neural functions. It is considered best for pre and post natal neurological development.
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Reduces Pain – The fish nutrients boost the resistance power of the body and helps to overcome the pain associated with inflammations that occur in case of diseases like rheumatoid.
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Reduces Depression – The omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in curbing depression and boosts the memory power. The fish is considered beneficial for halting the macular degeneration associated with advancement of age.