Food Encyclopedia

yellowtail

1. A class of fish with several species that are members of the jack family. It's related to pompano, with a flavor and texture similar to that of tuna. The California yellowtail, a large game fish that can weigh up to 100 pounds, is found off the coast of Southern California and south into Mexican waters. The waters around Australia and New Zealand are home to the southern yellowtail or yellowtail kingfish, which can weigh over 100 pounds. In the ocean around Japan there's a slightly smaller yellowtail (60 to 70 pounds), which is called Japanese amberjack. The Japanese prize their yellowtail and farm-raise them for use in sushi and sashimi. These are generally no larger than 20 pounds—the smaller fish are labeled hamachi, the larger ones buri. In general, yellowtail is prepared in a manner similar to tuna. 2. A variety of snapper. See also fish.