Alan Davidson

John Dory, Dory

Zeus faber Linnaeus

Appears in

#98Mediterranean Seafood
Mediterranean Seafood

By Alan Davidson

Published 1981

  • About

Family Zeidae

* Because the various bones resemble a set of carpenter’s tools.

REMARKS Maximum length 66 cm. A distinctive fish, with ingenious extending jaws.

CUISINE The large head and gut account for nearly two-thirds of the weight, so this fish is expensive. However, it has an exquisite taste and its firm white flesh separates easily into four fillets free of bone. Give the John Dory the same sort of treatment as you would choose for sole or turbot. Baby ones can go into the bouillabaisse.