Pompano

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Florida pompano is one of the most prized pan fish in American coastal cuisine, with buttery, rich white flesh and very few bones. It commands premium prices at Gulf Coast and Florida Keys fish markets. In New Orleans, pompano en papillote — cooked in a sealed paper bag with a cream sauce — is a classic Creole dish. The same name, pámpano, is used across Latin America and the Caribbean. It is typically pan-fried or grilled whole, and its compact size makes it ideal for single-portion cooking.