This is one of my most spectacular looking dishes my guests always wonder at. I also like to make it for just the two of us because it’s easy and tastes great. You don’t need to know how to cook to make this Mediterranean salmon recipe. All you have to do is slice some things, put them in the oven, and let them do their thing.
Sheet-pan recipes are my favorites. They don’t need much care or cleanup, especially if you use aluminum foil or parchment paper to line the baking sheet. That being said, Nordic Ware Aluminum Commercial pans are the best I’ve found so far. If you live near a restaurant supply store, you can find some cheap ones there as well.
This salmon recipe from the Mediterranean is full of spices and foods that are common in the area, like olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, lemon, olives, capers, herbs, and onion. Even though salmon isn’t from the Mediterranean Sea, if you read my blog or like my Facebook page, you already know that the Mediterranean Diet doesn’t mean Mediterranean food. Salmon is a fatty fish loaded with Omega-3’s that are good for you, so we embrace it full-heartedly!.
As an avid seafood lover and Mediterranean cuisine enthusiast I often get asked about whether salmon can be found in the Mediterranean. After all, salmon is one of the most popular and nutritious fish worldwide, so it’s natural to wonder if this hearty fish makes its home in the Mediterranean Sea.
In my research, I uncovered that while salmon can be found in the Mediterranean, the situation is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Let’s dive deeper into the details.
Salmon is Not Native to the Mediterranean
The first key fact is that Atlantic salmon, also known as Salmo salar is not native to the Mediterranean Sea. Salmon originate in cold waters like those found in Northern Europe and North America. The Mediterranean’s warm salty waters are not an ideal natural habitat.
Sources from encyclopedias say that salmon is not one of the over 700 fish species that are native to the Mediterranean. So if salmon live there, they are not wild populations.
Salmon Farming in the Med
That’s right, salmon farming is what got the fish to the Mediterranean.
Salmon aquaculture in the Mediterranean region started in the 1970s. Since then, it has grown into a major seafood industry. Salmon farms are typically set up along the coast or offshore on floating net pens.
The most commonly farmed salmon is the Atlantic salmon. They choose this species because it grows quickly and is in high demand at seafood markets.
Why Farm Salmon in the Mediterranean?
Several factors make the Mediterranean a prime location for salmon farms even though it’s not their natural environment.
For one, the demand for salmon globally keeps rising. Salmon farming provides a way to meet this demand without putting even more pressure on wild stocks. The Mediterranean’s warm temperatures allow fish to grow bigger and faster compared to salmon farms in colder areas.
The long coastline and mild climate create ideal conditions for salmon enclosures. Access to major markets like Europe and the Middle East is also a plus for Mediterranean producers.
Concerns About Mediterranean Salmon Farms
However, not all is rosy with salmon farming in the Mediterranean. Some concerning issues have emerged:
-
Disease outbreaks – The crowded pens and warm water can facilitate the spread of diseases like sea lice.
-
Pollution – Excess food and waste products can pollute surrounding waters. Chemical treatments used on farms also raise pollution concerns.
-
Escaped fish – Farmed salmon sometimes escape from damaged nets into the wild where they can disturb local ecosystems.
-
Questions of sustainability – Some environmental groups argue that the farms breed too many salmon in a small space and don’t operate sustainably.
So consumers should research how their Mediterranean salmon is sourced when buying. Choosing responsibly farmed salmon can help encourage better practices.
Limited Wild Salmon in the Region
Apart from farmed fish, a small number of wild Atlantic salmon can be found in certain rivers flowing into the Mediterranean. For example, some European rivers like those in France, Spain and Italy host populations of wild salmon that migrate from the sea to spawn.
However, according to my research, these wild stocks are very limited. Overfishing and river obstructions like dams have depleted their numbers over the centuries. So the chances of catching a wild Mediterranean salmon are quite low.
Best Bet for Eating Mediterranean Salmon
To summarize, while salmon didn’t originally live in the Mediterranean Sea, aquaculture has enabled it to become established there. Farming allows salmon to be harvested in decent numbers.
So if you want to enjoy fresh salmon while visiting the region, your best bet is to sample the farmed variety sold along the coasts. With some care in selecting sustainably raised fish, you can taste this popular delicacy without depleting wild marine life.
Just don’t expect to reel in a wild Mediterranean salmon on your fishing trip! For the authentic local catch, you’ll have to stick with sea bass, tuna and other fish native to the area.
Other recipes you might like:
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil on it.
- Put a little salt and pepper on the salmon’s skin side and rub it in slowly. Place the fish skin down onto the parchment paper. Add more salt and pepper to the side that has meat.
- Cut the tomatoes in halves. Slice the lemons in thin slices. Slice the red onion and garlic in thin slices. Drain and rinse the capers. Wash and dry your herbs.
- Put some lemon slices on top of your fish and the rest around it. Wrap the fish in the tomato, olive, garlic, and half of the onion slices. Add the capers and the rest of the onion to the fish. Sprinkle the herbs all over.
- Put olive oil on top of everything and season with salt and pepper.
- Flake the fish with a fork after about 20 minutes, or until it’s done the way you like it. How long your fish needs to cook will depend on how big and thick it is.
- Let it cool for five minutes after taking it out of the oven.
Lemon Garlic Salmon with Mediterranean Flavors (Recipe) | The Mediterranean Dish
FAQ
Do they eat salmon in the Mediterranean?
What kind of fish is in the Mediterranean?
Is there salmon in Spain?
Is there wild salmon in Europe?
Is salmon a Mediterranean diet?
Granted, salmon is not a fish from the Mediterranean sea, but as you probably know by now if you follow my blog or follow me on Facebook, Mediterranean Diet does not mean Mediterranean cuisine. Salmon is a fatty fish loaded with Omega-3’s that are good for you, so we embrace it full-heartedly! I like to load up the tray with lots of tomatoes.
Is eating salmon beneficial?
Salmon is beneficial for health and is part of a healthy and balanced diet. Salmon has vitamin D, healthy fats, calcium, selenium, iodine, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and protein.
What fish eat in the Mediterranean?
The main target species are small pelagic fishes like anchovy and sardine. Other fish “ common to the traditional Mediterranean Diet ” include flounder, mackerel, tuna, sea bass, and sardine. Is there Salmon in the Mediterranean? According to Wikipedia, there are 712 different species of fish in the Mediterranean sea.
What to serve with Mediterranean salmon?
Serve with complementary sides. Accompany your Mediterranean salmon with sides that complement its flavors, such as couscous, quinoa, roasted vegetables, or a Greek salad. Enjoy it fresh. Mediterranean salmon is best enjoyed fresh off the grill or out of the oven. Serve it immediately to savor its delicious flavors and textures.