What Is Haddock, When Is It In Season, and Fish Storage Tips

What is haddock?

Haddock is a member of the Gadidae family of fish and is directly related to cod. Also called scrod, it’s often used for fried fish and chips in the UK and can be used in place of cod in most recipes. Haddock lives in saltwater and is a ray-finned fish that has a mild and slightly sweet taste. 

Where did haddock originate from?

Haddock were first classified in the mid-18th century but was likely in existence from a much earlier date. They are found on both sides of the Northern Atlantic Ocean, with slightly more fish on the European side. There is a large population of haddock near the English Channel. Haddock can be found in Scandinavia and near Russand as in the Barents Sea in the Arctic Ocean. On the North American continent, haddock lives as far north as Greenland, but one of the leading commercial fishing areas is in Cape Cod in the United States. 

What is the nutritional value of haddock?

Like many other types of fish, haddock is high in protein and low in calories. It’s low in fat but contains Omega-3 fatty acids, albeit less than what is found in other kinds of fish like salmon. A three-ounce serving of haddock (uncooked and without any cooking oil or seasonings) contains:

• 77 calories
• <1g fat
• 17g protein
• 222mg sodium
• 0g carbohydrates
• 0g sugar

Haddock is low in mercury, so it’s considered quite safe to eat. Fresh and frozen haddock is rich in vitamins and minerals, including:

• Potassium
• Selenium
• Niacin
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Riboflavin

How is haddock raised?

The majority of haddock is wild-caught from oceans and seas in the Northern Hemisphere. Haddock takes between four and five years to reach maturity, with females maturing sooner than males. The females spawn from February to June, with the majority happening during spring. 

Haddock can be farmed, though this method of raising them is less common. The supply of haddock in their natural habits doesn’t outweigh the demand for it. To know whether or not the frozen fish you’re buying is from the sea or a fish farm, read the packaging. There should be information on the origin of the fish as well as the processing center. Shop wild-caught haddock.

When is haddock in season?

Haddock is caught all year round, so stores can have it in stock all the time. Don’t overlook frozen fish is typically cleaned, cut, and frozen within hours of being caught. 

What should I look for when buying haddock?

When buying frozen haddock, look for packages that are free of ice crystals and tears. Icy buildup indicates that the fish has thawed and refrozen. Packages that have tears or holes should be avoided. While they could be caused by mishandling, they could also be a sign of being tampered with. 

If you are buying fresh haddock, which is more commonly found in Europe, you should look for fish with clean, white flesh. The body should be firm and translucent, and the eyes should be bright. Avoid fish that have opaque-looking meat as they are not as fresh.

You want to find pieces that don’t show signs of discoloration or mold for dried or smoked haddock. The fish should be firm and not slimy. A “fishy” smell is expected, as is the scent of smoke in the case of smoked fish, but avoid it if it smells like it’s spoiled or has a strong ammonia-like odor. 

How to store haddock

Frozen haddock can be kept in the freezer for up to four months and retain much of its freshness when cooked. The fish will still be good for up to a year, but you lose flavor and texture with each passing month. Aim to use the fish before the “use by” date on the packaging. 

To use haddock, thaw it in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Whether you have it thawing or marinating in a zip-top bag or plastic container, double-check that it’s sealed well, so the fishy smell doesn’t overpower the other foods in your fridge. You can generally keep haddock refrigerated for up to two days before cooking and up to three days after cooking. However, if you notice any foul odor or see mold, discard it immediately. 

How to tell if haddock is bad

The easiest way to tell if haddock has gone bad is to pay attention to the appearance, feel, and smell. It should not have mold growing on it, nor should it be slimy. The fish should be firm with shiny skin if the skin is still on it. 

It should have a natural fish smell unless it’s smoked or preserved. Smoked fish will have a smoky smell, while preserved fish smell of vinegar since they are packed in brine. If you have any doubt whether or not the fish is rotten, throw it out.

What can I substitute for haddock?

If you have a recipe for haddock but don’t have any available, you can buy frozen cod filets or perch filets as a substitute. Both fish have a similar taste and texture as haddock and can be used in any recipe that calls for haddock. 

Buy frozen fish online

Whether or not going grocery shopping is a task you enjoy, you can save time and money by ordering your groceries online and letting an Instacart shopper deliver them to your home. Not only do you save on gas and wear and tear on your car, but you also avoid those pesky impulse purchases as well. Placing your order is easy, and it can be ready in as little as two hours if you choose to pick it up at the store. Shop for haddock filets. 

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