Opah

Line caught, Hawaii.

We haven’t had opah in a very long time, and we have missed it! This beauty is also known as moonfish because of its extraordinary deep-bellied—almost circular—profile. It weighs on average about 100 lbs. Its fins, mouth, and tail, are a bright reddish orange, its skin grayish pink with white spots. If its striking appearance isn’t enough to distinguish it, opah is also warm-blooded.

For those of you enjoying outdoor food prep, opah is excellent grilled, but it is also great sear-roasted, broiled, sautéed, or baked. It has a firm flesh that has been described as a cross between tuna and swordfish. Opah is high in omega-3's though it is also high in mercury. Seafood Watch rates it a "Good Alternative.” Kosher.

-- Grilled Opah with Olives (Erik Anderson / Food and Wine)

-- Oven Roasted Opah with Provençal Vegetables and Basil Coulis (TasteFood)