a.k.a.: Roughy, slimehead

Waters:Coastal saltwaters of New Zealand.

Description (in water):

Description (in market): An all-purpose white-fleshed fish similar to ocean perch. The meat is firm, low in fat, and mild in flavor.

Sold as: Fillets, usually frozen (Note: Orange roughy is frozen immediately after the catch, then filleted, refrozen, and exported worldwide. Remarkably, the fish is sturdy enough to handle multiple freezings--you're unlikely to notice a difference in taste or texture.)

Best cooking: Suitable for nearly all white-flesh fillet cooking styles, such as poaching, baking, broiling, and frying.

Buying tips: Look for pure white fillets free of browning, graying, and gaping. Smell for seawater freshness.

Substitutes: Ocean perch, blackfish, cod, flatfish, haddock, pollock, red snapper

Notes: This New Zealand import, which was not "discovered" until 1975, has been gaining in popularity as an all-purpose white fish. You'll find it in specialty fish markets and in well-stocked supermarkets.