Like certain fruits, fish all over the United States and the world have seasons. These are the times when certain types of fish are at their peak or the period when they are harvested fresh, either wild-caught or farmed.
One of the primary motivations for chefs of all ages and experiences to know and understand produce and fish seasons is to allow them to save costs. When a fruit or a fish is in season, the supply is more plentiful than usual, and the cost of harvesting and distribution goes down. The second major motivation for understanding in-season foods is that they are often higher quality in freshness and taste than when out of season.
If you're seeking a way to eat healthier while saving a bit on the cost of fresh seafood, try incorporating in-season seafood along with produce within your meals.
What's In Season?
When we think of summer into late summer foods, we often think of light and refreshing dishes such as salads and entrees with fresh produce and sturdy proteins that can withstand the heat of outdoor grills and barbecues.
For July and August, the seafood in season for the end of summer is perfect for both options. Here's a list of the seafood in season during summer's end.
June Fish
- Alaskan Halibut
- Bluefish
- Mackerel
- Grouper
- Keta Salmon
- Sockeye Salmon
- Swordfish
- Tuna
- Tubot
June Shellfish:
- Blue crab
- Sea Scallops
- Clams
- Mussels
- Soft shell crabs
July Fish:
- Alaska Halibut
- Grey Sole
- Keta Salmon
- Sockeye Salmon
- Swordfish
- Tuna
- Turbot
July Shellfish:
- Blue Crab
- Sea Scallops
- Clams
- Mussels
- Fresh Shrimp
August Fish:
- Alaska Halibut
- Coho Salmon
- Grey Sole
- Keta Salmon
- Swordfish
- Tuna
- Turbot
August Shellfish:
- Blue Crab
- Sea Scallops
- New Shell Lobster
- Fresh Shrimp
September Fish:
- Alaska Halibut
- Coho Salmon
- Grey Sole
- Keta Salmon
- Swordfish
- Tuna
- Turbot
September Shellfish:
- Blue Crab
- Sea Scallops
- Oysters
- New Shell Lobster
- Fresh Shrimp
Why Bother With Seasonal Seafood Ingredients?
Have you ever wondered why some chefs and cooks of all experiences insist on using seasonal ingredients? Or perhaps you're curious why some say restaurants that change their menus according to seasonal harvests are better than others. If you're wondering why so many bother to know and understand when seafood and produce are in season, here are a few fantastic reasons.
Fresher Than Ever
Seasonal ingredients matter as they provide freshness and variety you can't get with dishes made from out-of-season ingredients or ingredients available all year round. Seasonal food is allowed to ripen naturally on the vine or, in the case of seafood, grow and thrive in its natural environment before harvesting.
Consider the peach, for example. Purchasing a peach in a grocery store in the middle of December often results in under-ripe, tiny, and less-than-tasty peaches. Meanwhile, visit a local community farmer's Market when peaches are in season where you live—and you might find yourself shocked at the immediate difference. The peaches are often double or triple in size and picked at their juiciest and ripe for an intense, sweet, and remarkable flavor.
When out of season, many of our foods are harvested before they are ready, treated, processed, or frozen to keep them fresh while they are transported, resulting in a blander, less nutritious result.
Supporting Your Local Farmers and Community
Unlike large agricultural corporation companies that can produce non-seasonal ingredients and ship them worldwide—seasonal ingredients are most likely direct from your local farmer and fishermen. Purchasing seasonal seafood and produce often means your money will directly support your local fisheries, fishermen, and farmers, helping you support the people growing and harvesting our food.
Cost Effective
With the continued rising cost of food, another benefit of purchasing seasonal seafood and produce is that it is often more budget-friendly. As seasonal usually means local, preserving and transporting your seafood and produce thousands of miles is generally unnecessary. Many of these fresh ingredients can be delivered to grocers and markets directly from farm to store, allowing fresh products to be sold at a fraction of the cost. When crops and fish are in season, there tend to be abundant ingredients, which means less scarcity and lower prices.
Environmentally Friendly
Seasonal ingredients are environmentally friendly, far more so than ingredients that aren't. Choosing to cook with seasonal seafood can help prevent overfishing, as fish caught year-round may be harvested during spawning season. A harvest during the spawning season can greatly diminish stock. In addition to not interrupting the natural spawning season of fish, fish harvested out of season must travel much longer distances to reach us at grocery stores and markets. The longer the miles a fish has to be transported, the more equipment the company needs to keep the fish fresh. Trucks with freezer units and long travel use more fossil fuels and tend to output dangerous emissions into our environment.
Seasonal Seafood Promotes Healthier Eating Habits
Eating healthy can be challenging at first. Many of us may mistakenly believe that we must change our eating habits. However, one straightforward step to begin eating healthier is to attempt to plan your meals around including more seasonal ingredients.
When you attempt to include more seasonal, fresh produce and seafood into your diet, this can encourage you to seek out produce and seafood you may not otherwise try. Doing so broadens your flavor experiences and can help you stick to these healthier choices.
Not only is fresher, locally grown, and harvested produce or seafood tastier, but it is also often far more nutrient-dense thanks to that freshness. In addition to being better for you, eating seasonally is a great choice for those who love variety in their diet and may get bored quickly with the same dishes and flavors every season.
At Wholey's, we're always on top of the hottest, freshest, and most delicious in-season seafood to deliver straight to your front door.
Cooking and eating seasonal seafood is a fantastic means to foster your culinary creativity, eat healthier, help your local fisheries and fishermen, and help make a positive impact on our environment. Why not try something new and exciting today at Wholey's? We hope we've inspired your next culinary adventure this season!