Corvina

Gillnet or handling caught, Ecuador

Corvina is now more available than it was a decade ago. But you probably won't find it at your local Jewel or Mariano's. It Is a delicious firm, mild, and sweet fish. To us, corvina is special, and if you haven't tried it yet, we suggest you make a point of it this time.

Corvina is a generic name for a large number of fish in the Sciaenidae family, which includes both croakers and drum fish. (Those common names reflect the sounds each fish makes: Croakers croak while drum make a beating or drumming sound.)

You can prepare corvina in a number of ways: as ceviche, baked, broiled, grilled, and sautéed. Low to moderate mercury. Kosher.
1 lb. for $21.00

-- Grilled Corvina with Lemon/Herb Compound Butter (HOF)
-- Sea Bass and "Salad" in Parchment (video at Tasting Table. Yes, this recipe is for seabass, but we think Corvina works well)

Ivory Char

Recirculating AquaPonics system, Bristol, Wisconsin

We are very happy to again feature ivory Arctic char from a state-of-the-art family-owned AquaPonics farm in Wisconsin. It's awesome! The fish grow in artesian water (free of heavy metals), the feed is antibiotic- and chemical-free, and the fish waste is composted for organic fertilizer. The family is completely devoted to sustainability and energy efficiency. On their website they describe their system as a marriage of aquaculture and hydroponics.

Ivory char's lighter color is a result of their feed and the absence of artificial dyes. The AquaTerra fish has been featured in several Chicagoland restaurants including Evanston's Found restaurant and Rick Bayless’s Topolobampo. We also provided this fish to the Dave Matthews Band and crew this past summer on Northerly Island! Low mercury level. Kosher.
1 lb. for $17.50

-- Char and Away: Char with Basil Oil and Lentils (Tasting Table)
--Arctic Char with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes in Garlic Olive Oil (Barton Seaver / For Cod and Country)

Frozen Fair Trade Shrimp

Supera net caught, Mexico

Finally a shrimp you can feel good about eating! We just might have been the first in Chicago to feature certified Fair Trade shrimp, and we are pleased to report that they are delicious! We are going against our standard here by offering a frozen product. Here's why: Instead of dealing with giant gas-powered trawlers to catch their shrimp Del Pacifico works with artisanal fishermen in Mexico who use small sail-powered boats called pandas, which are slightly larger than a rowboat and have a spectacular sail. (Score one.)

The wind and tide guide the net. Because they operate on such a small scale the fishermen can remove bycatch and return it to the water alive resulting in the lowest bycatch in the shrimping industry! (Score two.) 

Because the boats are small and have little storage area they can't be out at sea for long periods meaning that the shrimp are blast-frozen within hours of capture. What is more, Fair Trade certification guarantees that there are no human rights abuses and that a percentage of the profit is returned to the community that caught the shrimp. (Score three and four.) 

Keep in mind that these shrimp are peeled and deveined FROZEN shrimp. US Fair Trade certified.
1 lb. (about 26 to 30 per pound) for $14.00)

-- Provençal Wheat Berry Salad with Shrimp and Mustard-Caper Vinaigrette ( Susie Middleton / Fine Cooking)

-- Cuttlefish Spaccatelli with Shrimp, Fresh Tomatoes, Green Onions and Chili (Food 52)