The best way to handle shellfish  

by Robert Packer

The various dishes and food and the exquisite taste of the seafood range has led to its increasing popularity among food lovers. It provides the human body with the necessary benefits and nutrients that we need in order to stay healthy, so many families would consume seafood at least once a week. Even though the consumption of seafood can bring forth many heath benefits, there is still the worry that it can lead to food poisoning. Shellfish is a popular ingredient that is used for tasty dishes but it is common knowledge that it carries a higher risk of food poisoning if it is not done properly. This is why people are advised to proceed with care when cooking shellfish type seafood.

Best location to purchase shellfish

Fresh shellfish are normally hard to find, as what may seem to be fresh may turn out to be full of dangerous bacterium and all sorts of harmful germs naked to the eyes. If you are trying to look for the cleanest and safest shellfish you should go and visit your local fishing authorities and seek their input as to the whereabouts of the fishing area that are deemed to be safe by them. Otherwise, you will need to get your shellfish supply from the local market. One note before purchasing anything from the market is to ensure that the turnover of the stocks are fast so that the chances of your seafood being freshly caught is higher as a result.

The signs

When purchasing shellfish, you will need to look for signs of freshness and safety when going through the stock. The most obvious and easiest sign to catch is the look of the shellfish. The outer part of the shellfish must be fresh and the shell part must be tightly closed. This works for most types of shellfish such as scallops, clams, mussels and oysters. When testing prawns, try and press the body to see if it will spring back when you release. Another important factor to consider is the smell of the shellfish itself. When you smell a strong scent of ammonia, that tells you the pile is well past its fresh days. The proper smell of fresh seafood products should be the smell of the ocean or more particularly, the smell of sea water. By checking and following these signs you can ensure that you will always buy seafood that is always fresh.

Proper containment

When you are storing your shellfish, this is the period of time where they face the possibility of being contaminated. When trying to preserve shellfish, you should determine the method of storage according to the type of shellfish on hand. The most basic rule states that the shellfish should not be kept for more than twenty four to forty eight hours before they are cooked. By limiting storage time to certain hours, you cut down the chances of having bacteria contamination. One of the best ways to keep the shellfish before going on the trip home is to use an airtight container and fill it with enough ice. Germs that cause harmful disease to anyone who consumes the fish will only be active if it is exposed to high or warm temperature so using an airtight container with enough ice will keep the temperature from rising. If you are planning to keep live oysters, mussels and clams then make sure there are holes to keep the container ventilated and also remember to put a wet towel over the top part of the container.

Cooking and food preparation

If defrosting is required before cooking, then do it by placing the shellfish under a running tap. Make sure you cook the shellfish until there aren't any raw parts left so that you don't face extensive risk of food poisoning. Start the preparation process by first cleaning the outer shell of the seafood. Scrub off the dirt, gravel and stones by using a small brush or the blunt part of the knife and wash it thoroughly after that. When cooking the food, make sure you are watching the cooking process of the shellfish carefully. When the shellfish's shell starts to open it means that it is almost cooked so just leave the shellfish there for another two to three minutes so any leftover bacteria is killed off. If you are cooking the seafood using the steaming method, try and steam it for as long as possible without ruining the food so that the extreme temperature can kill any bacterium living in the shellfish.

If you plan to cook seafood dishes for your next family dinner then it is necessary to sanitize and clean the kitchen itself and also the cooking and eating utensils that you will be using. Differentiate the utensils that you will be using for preparing the raw food and when you are handling the cooked food to prevent health problems. If the cooked seafood is meant for picnic then separate the hot and cold food and use different containers and storage so that they can maintain their own temperature. Do not let any pregnant ladies or older people make contact with the raw seafood material because they are more prone to be affected by the raw food's bacteria. The safest way to enjoy the taste of seafood is when it is eaten in a clean and non-contaminated environment.

About the Author

As an avid lover of seafood, Robert Packer catches his own shellfish near the place he lives in California. He also suggest that people try Fins Sacramento Seafood Restaurant for some of the best seafood dishes around.