Whole Foods Showcases Sustainable Swordfish & A “Next Iron Chef” Contestant
Through August or until supplies last, Whole Foods Markets are selling fresh, harpoon-caught Novia Scotia swordfish that have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as sustainable.
Whole Foods is the only major grocery store selling the MSC-certified swordfish, which retails for $18.99 per pound.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “Seafood Watch Guide” lists harpoon-caught swordfish as a “best choice.”
Instead of being caught in giant gillnets, which can be destructive to ocean habitats and capture unwanted fish, these swordfish are captured in a very primitive, time-honored method. Fishermen use harpoons to target individual, mature fish one by one. The fishing boats, many family-owned, usually return to shore within 72 hours, ensuring that swordfish arrive at stores within 48 hours.
The Canadian government also has worked to limit the fishing season to three, five-day intervals, to help maintain the swordfish population.
With a dense, meaty texture, swordfish is fantastic cooked on the grill.
Because swordfish are high on the food chain, though, they can accumulate higher levels of mercury compared to other smaller fish. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women, women of child-bearing age and children should avoid swordfish. For other, healthy people, who eat a varied diet, swordfish is not a risk.
For a recipe for the grilled chili-garlic swordfish with bok choy, pictured above, click here.
Kids and their parents are invited to the Whole Foods Market Potrero Hill store in San Francisco, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 25, when Chef Jehangir Mehta makes a visit to teach about healthy food choices for the whole family.
You may remember Mehta, executive chef of Graffiti in New York City, as a runner-up on last season’s “The Next Iron Chef” competition on the Food Network.
Mehta will lead a tour of the store, then conduct a cooking demo to encourage kids to try new flavors.
The program is designed for kids ages 6 to 11, and space is limited to 15 children and 15 adults. Price is $30 per parent/child pair.
To register, call (415) 552-1155 or email ashley.paulson@wholefoods.com
This is incredibly perfect timing. I was just looking up swordfish and saw there is one type that’s not ‘avoid’ on seafood watch. I’m on my way to WF this morning and hope they have the harpoon-caught swordfish here!
I need to check this out the next time I go. It’s so tricky to keep tabs on which fish is safe to eat.
Last evening, I watched a documentary “One Ocean” by David Suzuki http://oneocean.cbc.ca/series/episodes/2-footprints-in-the-sand?auto_load_clip=1438132398 . I couldn’t stand to see those blufin tunas caught wildly.
Fabulous very good information on swordfish love your pic..
I love the meatiness of Swordfish and your dish looks healthy and yummy!
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Ok that’s it Carolyn – on must do list “seek job for hubby in San Fran”
You guys have ALL the fun! That swordfish is killah 🙂
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
When I saw the pics, I thot it was steak. 🙂 Looks yummy but I have never had swordfish.
That sounds like a great event, I have a few friends in Potrero Hill, might make it out there…
The Whole Foods sustainable swordfish sounds great, and its a little cheaper than I usually see swordfish retailing for – a win-win!
Great info about swordfish! I’m putting it on our menu for this week! (Well, it also gives me an excuse to shop at Whole Foods; I’ve been taking a break as I tend to go a bit overboard when I’m there….).
That is fantastic! It’s in everone’s interest to make the seafood industry a sustainable one. We have some line caught fish which is a great way to catch (rather than the nets as you mentioned).
I noticed that my local Whole Foods was having a sale on swordfish and now I know why! I love sustainable fish…it’s such a feel good way to eat.
Yay! I’m passing this on to my fish eating friends. Thanks!
l’d love to try swordfish! good recipe there! 🙂
Great info and even better looking recipe. What good information to pass along.
$18.99 per lb!! Dear me…being sustainable is NOT cheap!
Yay for swordfish. I love it!
I met Jehangir when he was pastry chef at Aix in NY. Great guy and great to know he’s teaching kids to try new things. Maybe swordfish will be on the menu. 🙂
It would be such a pleasure to meet Chef Jehangir Mehta in person and hear his views on sustainability. Unfortunately for me, I am in the category that should not be eating swordfish, but I do love it!