Naturally, the best way to enjoy Catfish is to catch it fresh out of the waters. Then, clean it yourself and pan-fry it, batter it and deep-fry it, or bake it. If you’re not an avid angler, you can always see if a friend or family member will bring you back some Catfish when they return from their next fishing trip. Of course, you can also visit the meat department of your local grocery. Many groceries carry cleaned Catfish. But if you’re going to buy it, then you must know how to purchase the best Catfish and store it properly.
Fresh Catfish is usually the most flavorful, but you can also look for packages of frozen fish at your local grocer as well. (Avoid buying Catfish at a questionable business that you don’t know well.) Fresh or frozen, just be sure to purchase packages that are sealed tightly. Never buy packages that are damaged, or have holes or tears in them. Frozen Catfish should be hard as a rock- never partially thawed out- or the fish can turn bad.
When you purchase the best unfrozen Catfish, look for telltale signs that it’s fresh. The fish should look white and moist, not dried up. It should also feel firm, and not spring back when you touch it. It shouldn’t be mushy either.
One of the characteristics of Catfish that people who love to eat fresh fish like, is that it doesn’t have a “fishy” smell to it. Catfish that has a strong odor to it is old, or is otherwise unfit to eat.
The best Catfish also doesn’t have a strong “fishy” taste. Instead, it has a mild, almost sweet taste to it.
If you’re going to purchase a Catfish that hasn’t been completely cleaned, that is, the head is still attached to the body, then check its eyes. The best Catfish should have clear eyes that aren’t sunken in.
Now, once you purchase your Catfish, you’ll need to store it until you use it. Refrigerate it or place it in the freezer once you get it home. Place it in your meat keeper or in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Keep it very cool or completely frozen until you’re ready to cook the Catfish. Use a fresh package of Catfish within three days. And, if you purchased frozen Catfish and it thawed out on the way home from the grocery, don’t refreeze it! You’ll have to place it in your refrigerator and use it within three days.
Before you freeze a package of Catfish, wrap it in freezer paper or in a sealable freezer bag to protect it from freezer burn.
To thaw your frozen Catfish, never place it out on your kitchen counter to thaw. Instead, thaw it out in your refrigerator for a day or so. Or, run tap water over it until it’s no longer frozen.
And finally, beef and other types of meat can generally be kept in your freezer for up to a year if it’s been stored properly. Frozen Catfish, on the other hand, should be eaten within six months in order to get the best flavor.
