Second option: On ice, with clear eyes. (and cheaper per pound for same fish)

If cloudy, not great choice. He's been there a while.

Choose option number one!

Put a plastic bag over your hand and take the fish.

Gut and descale. ¡Gracias! One of the great things about California is that even at a Chinese food market I can speak Spanish. I just shout, "Tengo solo esto!" plastic bag in hand, move to the front of the line and out of the crowd musing over what to cook for dinner!

Cooking fish: Acqua pazza!(Crazy water- Southern Italian cooking) Very simple ingredients, Zia Gina's recipe. Parsley, sliced garlic and cherry tomatoes.

Add parsley and garlic.

Add olive oil.

Put in pan and add cherry tomatoes sliced in half.

Add water. Then turn heat to high and cover.

Check eye, on heated side when cloudy, turn.

Continue steaming. Watch eye, when cloudy, cooked.

Remove from heat and cover in foil.

Cleaning fish: Remove skin, any scales

Slice down middle and remove from bones.

Continue to remove from the bone. Meat in head is most tender and very flavorful.

Once cleaned top side, can easily remove the spine and continue to clean.

Repeat as until all flesh removed. Drizzle fresh squeezed lemon juice and add parsley.

Return bones to pan.

Thank you for trying pesce acqua pazza recipe! Optional: Make Fish bone broth with reserved bones. Tastes great in soups and very good for you in health benefits.

Fish bone broth: Conserve all bones and extras. Add 4 cups filtered water with 1 tbs apple cider vinegar (need enough water to cover fish bones.)And bring to boil.

Reduce heat to simmer. Add garlic, peppercorns, bay leaf, shallots and any other spices. This will depend on future use. I keep simple, just pepper and bay leaves and add spice as I cook in other recipes. Simmer for 2 hours.

Remove any scum/ fat that rises to top. (If using fresh, organic will be minimal)

Strain though cheese cloth.

Allow to cool to workable temp.

Put in container to store, pressing out air. (I use baggies, be sure to label)

Freeze flat and then store in plastic tray like index cards.