Doesn’t the word roll right off your tongue? What does it mean? Is it a cross between Delicate, delicious…maybe even decadent? A word so enticing has to mean something good. Right?
Absolutely right! But I’ll get to that in a minute.
Do you remember the poor old Patagonian Toothfish? Chances are you don’t. And I bet you wouldn’t order it off of a menu. But do you remember the day that fancy waiter came to your table bragging about his high falutin’ Chilean Seabass? And you said…”yes! that’s what I’m having!” You probably didn’t know you were just eating a good old Patagonian Toothfish who’d been to court and gotten himself a fancy new name. Fact is, it was always a delicious fish (FYI, it’s not even a type of bass; it’s a cod.) But until 1977, the name Chilean sea bass didn’t exist and few people ate the fish before the 1990s. So why you ask, is that relavant?
Well, maybe you’re one of those who doesn’t find the name catfish all that appealing? Maybe you heard ’round the grapevine that catfish were unsavory characters; lowlife’s even…
Maybe you hadn’t heard that they were living in these nice clean ponds, eating nice healthy meals, being cared for in the best of circumstances. Or that there was a new breed of catfish, raised in America, on farms— and processed with such great care that they deserved a name that warranted some fanfare. Well, that’s what I’m talking about!
Delacata® Style Catfish Fillets are a premium seafood offering developed by the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry. Biologically speaking, it is Grade A catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus). So why not just call it catfish? Well, because Delacata Style Catfish Fillets are far from a traditional catfish fillet (which, from our ponds, they are ALL great-tasting fish.) But the fish selected to bear the name Delacata are at the top of the class. The best of the best. The mild flavor and thick, meaty flake of Delacata Style Catfish Fillets are similar to snapper or grouper – but the price point is significantly less.
Are you paying attention yet?
These select fish are harvested and then deep-skinned and hand-trimmed to ensure all fat is removed, leaving only a fantastic, and incredibly consistent, prime cut of fish. The thick fillets are perfect for grilling, sautéing or broiling, and resist curling or shrinking under intense heat. The texture is extremely forgiving and remains moist, even on the longest buffet lines. Their mildly sweet flavor profile is also remarkably easy to work with. Sauces, marinades or herb rubs – it complements anything you throw at it. A Delacata Style Catfish Fillet is as perfect for the upscale restaurant menu, as it is on your plate at home tonight.
Sustainability means availability.
Our strict farming practices ensure Delacata Style Catfish Fillets are always available – and we mean for generations. Due to an ever-growing demand for seafood, over 75% of the world’s fish species are overexploited or depleted. However, Delacata Style Catfish Fillets offer a large-scale, responsible alternative. U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish are raised in freshwater ponds, primarily in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The ponds are fed from underground wells, and the clay-based soil naturally maintains purity. The ponds must meet Clean Water Act standards, meaning our farmers can only use chemicals approved for use in public drinking water. A special grain-based diet ensures hearty, healthy fish, as well as the fresh and mild flavor of Delacata Style Catfish Fillets. Once harvested, the select fish are transported live to the processing plant where they are quickly filleted, deep-skinned and cut into prime, 1/2″ thick portions. They are then hand-trimmed to remove any trace of fatty membrane, leaving a premium, heart-healthy fillet ready for your kitchen.
Versatile. Affordable. Responsible.
Delacata Style Catfish Fillets are deep-skinned and hand-trimmed for a perfect prime cut of fish. The thick flakes, firm texture and mild flavor work well with almost any cooking method.