Cutting off the fins!

[pmeheran]

I keep seeing certain instructions repeatedly in recipes. It usually goes like this: " ...and then take a pair of kitchen shears and cut off all the fins before frying the fish." If I did that my wife and daughters would murder me. Those are their favorite parts, next to the roe. Personally, I view it as being akin to putting booties on turkey drumsticks, unnecessary and somewhat foolish looking.

 

[CraigC]

I think there are both practical and asthetic reasons. If it were a lionfish, the fins have to come off as the spines carry venom. Removal of the fins probably offer the diner a more eye appealing dish. Don't worry, as things are going, you'll probably be finding lionfish in Texas over the next few years!

Craig