Brazilian Fish - Common English Names

There are hundreds of species of often superb edible fish and shellfish in Brazil and the waters surrounding it, which are generally exceptionally unpolluted. Here are just a few that we have come across on our local market. There are many others available from time to time, some with no common English name. Please note that the names in both English and Portuguese may cover a sometimes large number of different, but usually related species, for example “grouper”. (*) indicates freshwater fish. For more info please go to: ifraser57@hotmail.com.

Aliche – (Small) Anchovy, usually sold preserved in oil in delicatessens.
Anchova – (Large) Anchovy (tremendous with pizza)
Atum – Tuna (becoming an endangered species, which is reflected in the price)
(A)badejo – Grouper ( one of the best of the groupers)
Bagre – Rock Salmon, Catfish
Bonito – (Small) Tuna
Cação - Carpet Shark (usually cooked in coconut milk, Bahian style, delicious)
Camarão – Shrimp/ Prawn (sometimes*, many different varieties, all delicious)
Caranguejo – Crab (usually the large variety)
Cavalo – Grouper
Cherne/ Xerne – Wreckfish (one of my personal favorites, but not often seen)
Cioba – Red Snapper (very handsome; you can usually get it cut into small steaklets)
Corimbatá – Mudsucker* (despite its unprepossessing English name, quite tasty)
Corvina – Whitemouth Croaker (don’t be put off by the name; it’s tasty)
Dourado – John Dory (sometimes*, really delicious)
Enguia – Eel (often *)
Garupa – Grouper
Jaú – Giant Catfish* (reputedly the largest freshwater fish, bland but OK with spices)
Lagosta – Lobster
Langostim - Freshwater Crayfish*
Linguado – Sole
Lula – Squid (fried in peppery batter and served with lime, a top starter)
Manjuba – kind of Anchovy (top starter, needs no accompaniment except maybe lime).
Merluza – Sea Bass
Mexilhões – Mussels, Clams
Namorado – Sandperch (wonderful for BBQ)
Pacu – Flatfish* (one of the best freshwater fish)
Pargo – Sea Bream (delicious, but with a lot of small bones)
Pintado – Spotted Catfish* (tasty but oily, needs special cooking, see recipes)
Piraputanga – Freshwater Fish (no common name, excellent for BBQ)*
Pulpo – Octopus (serve Brazilian style with a heavy tomato sauce and some chili)
Peixe Espada – Largehead Hairtail (not to be confused with swordfish, not Brazilian)
Robalo – Snook (a sort of very superior mackerel, highly recommended)
Salmão – Pacific Salmon* (usually wild from Chile, absolutely superb, if rather pricey)
Siri – Crab (often served as a starter in the shells)
Tainha – Grey Mullet (cheap, plentiful and tasty)
Tilápia – Ciclid Fish* (cheap, but needs careful cooking to remove the “muddy” taste)
Trilha – Red Mullet (in Europe, Salmonete)
Vongole – Whelks (unpolluted)

A SONNET

FOR A CHILDHOOD FRIEND

Near to Tintagel castle lies a stone,
where once, they say, King Arthur’s noble sword
stood fixed. From thence with many a fruitless groan
knights tried to force the blade, without the word
that would release it from its deadly grasp.
I saw you dance around that boulder, wild,
mad for the free universe, free of the hasp
of consequence, believing only in the child
that once you were and wanted to remain.
Life has brought you nothingness and pain.
I grieve for that – the failure of desire -
but you will always be my friend, though stilled that fire.
None now believe in that dead sword or word.
There is no fiddle for the dance, nor singer heard.


Ian Fraser

Sao Paulo Junior Cup Brazil - Who will be the next Ronaldinho or Kaká?

Not a bad place to start might be at the São Paulo Junior Cup, which now attracts teams from all over Brazil. Sao Paulo FC did not produce an outstanding team this year, though Sergio Motta is a strong midfielder and Diogo looks a very cultured left-back.

Santos, as always, look to have a stream of talent.Thiago Carleto, looks like the complete midfielder. More Steven Gerrard than Ronaldinho, he bosses the whole team and has a violent, low free-kick à la Roberto Carlos, that few keepers seemed able to handle. Striker Thiago Luiz, drifts in and out of the game a bit, but seems to know where the goal is. Remind you of anyone?

If you remember the 1974 World Cup you may recall West German fullback Paul Breitner. Well I don't know if African-Brazilian Breitner is named after him and anyway there the resemblance ends as he is a bustling, powerfully built right-half (to use the old terminology) very hard to dispossess,a demon ball-winner and non-stop action. I did not get a good look at 15-year-old wunderkind, Neymar, as he was only brought on as as a late sub in the game that I saw, but he is said to be a brilliant prospect.

My chosen candidate, however, will be 16-year-old, Lelé. Playing for unfashionable São Bernardo do Campo, he looks a bit skinny still but has phenomenal ball control and skill and a passing ability well beyond his years. To me he looked the only player who could think about emulating the legendary Ronaldinho.

I will be surprised if none of these names feature in the multi-million transfer market a few years from now. And remember - you read it here first!