Sole Dab

Introduction:

Scientifically, the lemon sole is much more closely related to the plaice (plaice) than the sole. They both belong to the same family, namely the "Pleuronectidae. The sole was assigned to a different family. In this way, the names 'sole dab' and the popular name 'milk tongue' actually create unnecessary confusion. The name 'stone dab' is also
used locally. France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Denmark, Iceland and Norway are the countries that regularly offer this flatfish. The color of the lemon sole is very intriguing: orange-brown and yellow shades alternate with white and darker spots and speckles. A very nice amber color also sometimes emerges. If you find an adult animal of about 800 grams, you can already say that you have bitten a hefty specimen.The taste of fish depends on many parameters: for example, the temperature of the water and salinity are important. In addition, there are differences due to the food they have eaten.Furthermore, the type of fishing is important, such as the time the fish is in the net when it is dragged over the seabed and the processing and storage on board the ship. The texture of sole is softer, more delicate and looser than that of sole, also their color is less white. Fish have a much looser structure than land animals anyway because their muscles do not have to work against gravity. Fish have less connective tissue and what they possess has a weaker structure. Short fibers come together in thin layers of connective tissue. A fish's muscle tissue also serves as an energy store in times of scarcity or as a buffer during mating season. The muscle proteins then still hang loosely together and the fish flesh makes a limp and mushy impression. Sole is very sensitive to this.
In technical jargon, we call the fish "spawn sick". 

Lemon sole is very popular with consumers. The species has both eyes on the right side and belongs to the plaice (Pleuronectidae) family. Males reach sexual maturity from 17 cm, females from 24 cm.

The species is subject to a
joint European TAC in the North Sea (Zone 4), together with whitefish or dog's tongue (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus). This TAC has remained stable for several years now at
6400 tons per year. The United Kingdom is the largest producer
of lemon sole in Europe (receives 63% of the European
TAC). In 2016, Belgian fishing vessels landed nearly
800 tons of lemon sole. The stock in the North Sea and Eastern
English Channel seems to be in good condition. The biomass does fluctuate
somewhat, but overall it has remained stable since the
early 1980s. Sole dab can be safely recommended.

TIP: 

Sole fillets can be very easily cut into strips,
breaded and deep-fried, called "goujonettes," the
diminutive of "goujons.

Goujons in turn are small fish called 'gobies'
. So originally people made
strips of the goby and only later used
large fillets cut into narrow strips to resemble
gobies.
'Goujonettes of lemon sole' is a delicious boneless
recipe and ideal for children, much healthier than
fishsticks.

Learn more: https://www.zeevruchtengids.org/nl/tongschar