Shark Week
Eat or be eaten
Shark Shudder
When people hear the word "shark," their immediate reaction tends to be one of fear or revulsion. Shark are the ultimate submarine predators, employing unimaginably powerful senses to seek out prey. A mouthful of razor-sharp teeth make short work of soon-to-be shark meals.
Because of such Hollywood classics as Jaws, Jaws II, Jaws III, etc., people have an ingrained terror at the mere thought of a dorsal fin. A cry of “Shark!” immediately clears the surrounding beach. Divers wear chain-mail to protect against the prehistoric beast. Stories of shark attacks are blown wildly out of proportion by the media which thrives on fear.
There is Hope Yet
However, there’s another side to the story. Shark meat makes an excellent meal, heartier than most fish, and extremely nutritious. Prepared correctly, it is delicious.
People whose appetites aren’t satisfied by other fish should not ignore shark. Its meat is much denser than most seafood, and the texture is similar to a tender pork chop, though flakier.
An eight-ounce serving of raw shark meat has about 200 calories, and 40 grams of protein. It’s also one of the leaner meats, with only one gram of fat. Shark meat, like most fish, is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, an essential nutrient for brain function and blood circulation.
Fish Don’t Fry in the Kitchen
There are many ways to prepare a shark steak. Perhaps the easiest and quickest is in a frying pan with about a tablespoon of melted butter. Sprinkle parsley, oregano, salt and pepper to taste before tossing the whole steak in the pan. Cook about two to three minutes per side, or until meat is flaky and white.
The rule for baking is about 10 minutes per inch of thickness at 400 degrees. Shark meat has enough of its own flavor that mere salt and pepper are sufficient—however, shark can be prepared with your favorite marinade.
Toss in a Side
Combined with a small side salad for vegetable variation, a shark steak is a meal in itself. A mild white wine would round off the flavors nicely. You just might discover a new favorite dish.
The Best Part
Perhaps one of the most enjoyable aspects to eating shark is the adventure. Because of sharks’ place in the cultural imagination, having a slab of shark meat on a plate is a thrill. Jaws himself may just decide to join the dinner. Nothing stirs excitement like triumphing over the ultimate nemesis, even if the actual struggle took place hundreds of miles away. Picture a scarf-or-be-scarfed situation. Captain Nemo, eat your heart out!
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