Discover the Norwegian Miracle Seafood: Skrei

Chef Espen Larsen with his Skrei dish at Legal Sea Foods. Photo: Urd Milbury

The popular East Coast seafood restaurant chain Legal Sea Foods is serving up a rare Norwegian treat during the month of March: skrei. Only the best migrating Norwegian cod are classified as skrei.
Don't miss a rare opportunity to try this world class delicacy locally. This fish is only available when it migrates up the clear, cold waters of Northern Norway, from January to April every year.

Norwegian celebrity chef Espen Larsen, who owns and operates the Culinary Academy in Oslo, is currently vistiting several Legal Seafood restaurants, teaching the staff how best to prepare and serve skrei. We stopped by to taste his delicious creation for lunch: skrei on a bed of roasted potatoes, and brussel sprouts, with bacon, capers and olives.

"It's amazing," said Espen. "Skrei is so popular, not a morsel of the fish goes to waste. I visited a skrei processing facility in Northern Norway this winter. They handle the fish so carefully. The head of the fish is dried, salted and exported to Nigeria, the stomach goes to Asia, the tongue is of course a delicacy to itself and a special treat in Norway, the liver is exported to Russia. This fish is so revered; every part has an appeal to a market."

Seafood

Only the best migrating Norwegian cod are classified as ultra-premium skrei. Once fully grown, skrei migrate annually from the Barents Sea to the coast of Norway from January to April to spawn.

 

Small fishing vessels catch and handle the fish according to rigorous quality standards so it remains in immaculate condition. It’s available for a few short months each year and loved in many parts of the world for its delicate flavor and flaky meat. 

 

Skrei, From the Norse word for “wanderer,” is a true culinary delicacy. The fish’s silky-smooth flavor and clean taste come from swimming in the cold, pristine waters of Norway.
 

When asked about seafood trends in the U.S., Espen said restaurants here are always looking for excellent seasonal products. "With the ever growing interest in healthy choices, seasonal choices, and food 'with a story,' I think skrei has great potential in the U.S.  People in the United States have traditionally favored shellfish over fish but we see the U.S. public is getting more interested in fish, and the light flavor and texture of skrei and cod appeal to the market here."
 

Legal Seafood will feature a skrei entrée in 27 participating restaurant locations on the East Coast and in Atlanta. Locations are listed on their website: http://www.legalseafoods.com/