Is catfish tasty and good for you?

[CTyankee]

We like fish and eat salmon every week. I have never eaten catfish, but it's on sale at my supermarket. How do you make it?

[hlthe2b]

1. It is almost a "delicacy" in the South and parts of the Midwest where it is prevalent and they grow large.

Battered in egg and cornmeal and fried or at least pan-seared is how I typically have had it. In the wild, it can pick up contaminants from its tendency to scavage and eat just about anything so, all things in moderation, but yes, it is generally considered to be healthy...

[Wifes husband]

20. Catfish

In Arkansas every one ate catfish at least twice a week, after church and Wednesday night prayer meeting, several times a week for lunch. Everyone has their favourite catfish restaurant. Never got tired of it.

[displacedvermoter]

2. Blackened and served with beans and rice

and spicy chutney. Really good.

[elleng]

13. Yes, very good.

[lynintenn]

3. grilled with cajun seaonings

they tend to be bottom feeders but they are largely farmed these days.

[Traildogbob]

4. Depends on the species

Channel cats are really good and Flat heads not so much. Flsr heads are mushy and dwell in the mud, and taste like they do. But these are the two most frequently caught here in WNC. Lots of others around the country. As far as healthy, all depends on the water quality. Ones that feed through the mud can take in lots of toxic crap that settled down in the substrate.
Farm raised avoid those toxins but the feed they get takes at good flavor of wild. Lots of farms use dog food. Not the best brands either.
I like cat fish, but my favorite fresh water is walleye by far.

[CabbageAndBeans]

5. It holds together well on the grill.

I will either grill it with some mesquite chips or broil it. I have been told to avoid any imported catfish and to make sure it is farmed domestically. Not exactly sure where I heard this or why, so take it with a grain of salt.

[evemac]

6. Oh yes!

[EYESORE 9001]

7. It's not kosher, if that is an issue (no scales)

Personally, I don’t care for catfish, considering their diet. Same with anything in the carp family. I suppose farm-raised fish don’t eat the nasty things that those bottom-feeders encounter in the wild, however.

[elleng]

11. Farm-raised are VERY good, and eat very well.

[bif]

8. It's excellent battered and fried.

[Ritabert]

9. I had it once but am not a fan

I prefer Mahi Mahi or Snapper.

[elleng]

10. Yes, very good.

Rather mild, and amenable to improvements/adjustments.

Used to saute it regularly. Would also be good baked w herbs, and stews.

Check @ 'cooking and baking.'

[Drum]

12. I like catfish

[cloudbase]

14. Coated with Zatarain's Crispy Fish-Fri and deep fried.

Mix in a bit of Tony Cachere's or Old Bay into the coating for an extra treat.

[Aristus]

15. I'm Southern-born. I could eat biscuits and gravy and chicken fried steak until the end of time.

But I refuse to eat catfish. I won’t touch it. That and grits. The shit some people eat.

[Skittles]

16. it has to be coated and fried

it really sucks any other way

[Clouds Passing]

17. On the grill with salt & pepper

[catbyte]

18. Am I the only person on the planet who thinks catfish tastes like mud?

I had it once in a place famous for their catfish and yuck.

[Wifes husband]

19. Catfish

It needs to be fried. In peanut oil. Farm raised from a USA farm is the best. Fresh caught is good if you know where to fish and don't get the big ones.

I have eaten an unbelievable amount of catfish in my life, and if it is cooked right there is no better fish

[Paladin]

21. Nope. (nt)