Silver warehou
Seriolella punctata
About the silver warehou
Silver warehou (Seriolella punctata), also known in the trade as savorin, is a pelagic marine fish of the southern hemisphere belonging to the family Centrolophidae. The back is bluish grey and the flanks and belly silvery white; a small dark spot is visible behind the head, and a row of dark dots runs along the middle of the flanks. It grows to 66 cm and is most commonly caught at 40–60 cm in length. It is a schooling species found in New Zealand waters and is particularly abundant around the South Island and the Chatham Rise submarine plateau.
Nutritional value
Silver warehou flesh is white, firm-textured and lean: it contains little fat but plenty of complete protein. It also provides B vitamins and important minerals: iodine, selenium and phosphorus. It is a filling, easily digestible source of protein, suitable for an everyday balanced diet.
Fishing seasonality
The fish is caught by trawling in deeper waters: adults keep to the shelf edge at depths of 200–800 m, while juveniles stay in shallower water. The spawning period depends on the area; at that time the fish gather in large schools. Fat content and size naturally vary with the season and the catch area.
Culinary notes
The firm flesh does not dry out easily and is suitable for pan-frying, oven-baking and grilling, as well as stewing. Its neutral, subtly sweet flavour goes well with lemon, olive oil, fresh herbs and roasted vegetables. It is also often used for smoking: when hot-smoked, it acquires a rich aroma.
