Description of navaga - what the fish looks like and where it is found, what family it belongs to

Navaga is a northern sea fish that belongs to the Cod family. Individuals reach an average length of 30-40 centimeters and weigh approximately 500 grams. This fish is considered cold-loving. There are 2 types of navaga – northern and Far Eastern. The first individual lives in the Pacific Ocean, and the second - near the Arctic coast of Siberia. The meat of this fish contains many valuable substances, and therefore brings great benefits to the body.

Description of the fish

Navaga can be northern and far eastern.Each variety is characterized by its own characteristics.

Appearance

Navaga is characterized by a rounded body shape with a clear narrowing towards the tail. A distinctive feature of the fish is its protruding jaw, at the bottom of which there is a pair of mustaches. Compared to the overall dimensions, the head looks small. The fish has 3 dorsal fins, which are distinguished by their swamp color.

The body has a silver-violet tint. In this case, the abdomen is white. The scales are small in size. It doesn't scratch and is easy to clean. Meat contains many valuable components. This is due to the extraordinary benefits of this product.

Habitat

Navaga has 2 species that live in different places:

1. Northern - lives in the coastal regions of the Far North. This fish is found in the Kara and White Seas. It is also found in the Laptev Sea.
2. Far Eastern - found in the seas of the Pacific Ocean. It is found in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. The fish also lives in the Japanese and Okhotsk regions.

Navaga is considered a benthic and cold-loving individual. However, it is mainly found at shallow depths, which do not exceed 30-60 meters. In most cases, these individuals prefer coastal areas.

Navaga is not a river fish. However, sometimes it can be seen in rivers and fresh lakes that have access to the sea. This is due to strong tides in the habitat areas.

Features of meat

This is a sea fish that has very tasty meat. In addition, navaga can be safely included in the diet. To prevent the fish from losing its beneficial properties and taste, it should be cooked slightly frozen.

Fresh fish can only be found in coastal regions. The northern variety is considered more tasty.It should be taken into account that 2-3 months after catching, the quality characteristics of the meat deteriorate significantly. Therefore, experienced chefs advise purchasing the product in season. In this case, the fish will have a delicate and sweet taste. There will be no bitterness or fish oil smell in it. Far Eastern navaga can be bought all year round. This species is characterized by tougher meat.

Boniness

Consumers say that northern and Far Eastern navaga is practically devoid of small bones. The backbone and cartilaginous bones can be easily separated from the carcass after heat treatment. Thanks to this, fish can be given to children. Moreover, it is a source of proteins that are easily digestible. Due to the fact that there are no small bones in the meat, its fillet can be used to prepare minced fish.

Chemical composition

The meat of navaga looks quite light. It is not a fatty variety, is easily digestible and contains many valuable components. These include the following:

1. Macroelements - the product includes magnesium, sodium, potassium. It also contains chlorine, phosphorus, and calcium.
2. Microelements – meat contains iodine, selenium, iron. Fish also includes iodine.
3. Vitamins – A, E, D. Meat also contains folic acid and vitamin PP.
4. Essential amino acids - these include arginine, methionine, valine. In addition, navaga includes threonine and tryptophan.
5. Nonessential amino acids – this category includes alanine. The product also contains glutamic and aspartic acids.

The benefits of navaga are also associated with its low calorie content. At the same time, it contains a large amount of proteins. These features make it possible to include the product in low-calorie diets. It can also be part of a diet that helps build muscle mass.

100 grams of Far Eastern navaga contains 68.5 kilocalories. The northern variety has a higher energy value. 100 grams of this product contain 91.2 kilocalories.

This fish contains relatively little omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. But in combination with other useful elements, the product helps prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis and pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.

Useful and harmful properties

Navaga is found in cold waters and contains a large number of valuable components. Its beneficial properties are associated with this. Regular use of the product helps achieve the following effects:

1. Improve memory and psychomotor reactions.
2. Activate metabolism.
3. Normalize cholesterol levels in the blood.
4. Stimulate the immune system.
5. Support the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
6. Normalize the state of the endocrine system and improve the functioning of the thyroid gland.
7. Strengthen the nervous system and increase the body's resistance to stress.
8. Slow down the aging process.

With regular use of navaga, it is possible to maintain normal functioning of the body and prevent the occurrence of abnormal processes. Therefore, its meat is often used in medical nutrition.

Harm from consuming the product is possible only in certain situations:

• in case of long-term and improper storage;
• with repeated defrosting and freezing;
• when fishing in environmentally unfavorable conditions.

It is worth considering that marine life is capable of accumulating heavy metals and other harmful components that are present in the aquatic environment. The older the fish, the higher the risk of contamination with toxins.

Fish that is cooked in large amounts of fat can also be harmful. This makes the product more caloric.In addition, fried or smoked navaga is harmful. At the same time, the benefits of fresh fish, which is properly prepared, are obvious. This product has virtually no restrictions. The exception is the presence of intolerance to seafood and animal proteins.

For mothers

The fibers of the cod pulp contain docosahexaenoic acid, which useful pregnant and lactating women. This substance affects the development of the brain and nervous system of the fetus. It promotes the formation of the organ of vision and ensures the proper formation of the cardiovascular system.

Navaga also benefits the woman herself. It helps prevent anemia and serves as an excellent prevention of postpartum depression. If a pregnant woman eats fish, there is a high probability that the child will tolerate this product normally.

For children

This fish from the Cod family can be given to children starting from the age of 2. It is important to ensure that the product is fresh and properly prepared. Fish pulp contains the following components:

• calcium and phosphorus - these substances are required for the full development of bone tissue and brain;
• Vitamin D – promotes complete absorption of calcium;
• microelements - the product includes selenium, iron, iodine and a large number of other valuable components.

These substances help prevent many dangerous diseases - rickets, hypovitaminosis, iron deficiency anemia. In addition, they strengthen the immune system and increase resistance to viral infections.A child who eats fish at least twice a week develops better, less frequently and easily adapts to the children's group.

For men

Navaga has antioxidant properties that can prevent or at least slow down abnormal changes in the prostate gland in men. Therefore, representatives of the stronger sex need to systematically include this product in their diet.

It is worth considering that an insufficiently active lifestyle negatively affects the structure of muscle tissue and leads to early aging. Eating White Sea navaga helps maintain muscle tone. The protein contained in the composition improves their structure and prevents tissue sagging. With high intellectual load, regular use of navaga helps improve memory, activate brain function, and strengthen the nervous system.

For the elderly

This product helps avoid the development of senile dementia and other abnormalities of brain activity. It also protects against sagging muscle tissue and increased bone fragility. To obtain such results, you should include navaga in your diet at least 2-3 times a week. Navaga also has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. The antioxidant characteristics of fish are also beneficial for older people.

Other beneficial properties

Regular consumption of navaga helps with the following pathologies:

1. Problems with the thyroid gland. This product contains a lot of iodine and vitamin D. Thanks to this, it supports the functioning of the most important endocrine organ.
2. Atherosclerosis, heart problems, arterial hypertension.Eating fish helps stabilize the functioning of the cardiovascular system due to its high fatty acid content.
3. Depressive disorders and mental disorders. Such pathologies are more successfully treated if you add foods that contain a lot of omega-3 acids to your diet.

The product also helps to avoid the development of tumors of the colon, breast, prostate, kidneys, liver and other internal organs.

Tips for choosing fish

To choose a quality product, you need to pay attention to the following features:

1. The frozen carcass should not be covered with a significant layer of ice. This indicates that the fish has been frozen several times.
2. It is important that the flesh is white and does not have a grayish tint. It is also worth paying attention to the abdomen. It should also be white, without a rusty tint. It indicates that the fats have oxidized and the product has begun to deteriorate.
3. Frozen fish should not have a sharp, specific odor. Also, it should not have a pronounced aroma of spices. All this indicates that sellers are trying to hide signs of product damage.
4. It can be difficult to see the eyes of frozen fish. However, it is quite possible to determine their transparency. If navaga has cloudy eyes, this indicates that its shelf life has expired.

If the carcass is defrosted after purchase, it must be cooked on the same day. The frozen product must be placed in the freezer immediately.

Cooking recipes

In order for navaga to retain maximum benefits, it must be prepared correctly. This product can be baked, stewed or fried. It is worth taking into account the following features:

1. Before starting cooking, it is important to properly cut the carcass.In this case, you need to get rid of the insides. It is also worth removing scales and fins. Removing the black film from the surface of the internal organs is of no small importance. Many housewives also clean their heads. However, it can be used to make fish soup.
2. After cutting the carcass, you can sprinkle it with spices. This fish goes well with rosemary and thyme. A mixture of peppers is also an excellent option. After this, the carcass can be salted and fried.
3. If you want to get a more dietary dish, you should put the fish on foil, pour lemon juice on it and put it in the oven to bake.
4. It is quite possible to cut navaga into pieces, pour in sour cream sauce and simmer. To do this, it is recommended to lightly fry the onions and carrots, then place the fish dredged in flour in a frying pan and pour in sour cream. The cooking time for this dish is 20-25 minutes.
5. Fish cutlets are perfect for children. To do this, navaga must be cleaned of entrails and bones and chopped using a small meat grinder. You should add white bread, chopped onions and spices to the minced fish. These cutlets can be fried or baked. Fish cutlets or meatballs go well with side dishes of rice, potatoes or pasta. They can be served with vegetable salads and various sauces.

This fish is perfect for cooking over charcoal. It makes a wonderful kebab. This dish has a juicy and delicate taste. Navaga can also be used to prepare fish salads and casseroles.

In addition, the fish can be marinated. To do this, you need to fry the navaga, pour in the marinade and leave for 2 days. This snack used to be very popular. It was often served in Moscow restaurants.

Navaga liver is an independent delicacy product that is sold in separate packaging. The caviar of this fish is also often used in cooking. In particular, very tasty pancakes are prepared from it.

Navaga is a tasty and healthy fish that contains many valuable components. At the same time, it can be included in the diet of pregnant and lactating women, children, and men. Navaga also benefits older people. In order for the fish to retain as many valuable components as possible, it must be cooked correctly.