Chile Forum

Hey, thanks for the reply.
And thanks again for all the info on the Aji.
I'm going to try to get some over here soon!!!
Claudio

Hey, I have another question about Chilean food.

Can someone tell me if there are any differences between
The following shell fish
choritos
machas
cholgas
Almejas

and the following
Navajas
Navajuelas
Culengues

Thanks
Claudio

Yes, there are completly diferent species, except for choritos y cholgas:

Choritos are mussels, the bigger are called cholgas and the biggest choros zapatos

I am not sure n the english name of the others but they are all diferent species, I guess that almejas are clamps in english, I ignore the other english names

I believe clams are also called machas-found that on the internet. Verification by someone welcome.

Below excerpts from this link at TA.

the famous 'toid' of TT and TA wrote:Clams are machas or almejas - different types. The machas are pink. In southern Chile there is another clan, navajuala, razor clam and it is served instead of machas, as in machas a la parmesana. There are various kinds of mussels, choros, choritos (smaller) and choros zapatos (enormous). For the real fans there are erizos (sea hedgehogs) and picarocas (a large barnacle).

the famous 'Molly' of TA wrote:Merluza (hake)
Almejas (clams)
Reneita (pippin)
Choritos (small mussel)
Jurel (mackerel)
Salmon (salmon)
Machas (clams)
Congrio (conger)
Cholgas (large mussels)
Corvina (like sea bass)
Jaibas (crabs)
Cochayuyo (a firm brown seaweed, soaked and stewed)
Langostinos (prawns)
Lenguado (sole)
Locos (like abalones)
Erizos (sea urchins)
Ostras (oysters)
Pejerreyes (smelt)
Albacora (swordfish)
Ostiones (scallops)
Calamares (small squid)
Picorocos (barnacles)
Atun (tuna)

Yea, correct spelling is is clam, it seems it is used either for machas and almejas, despite they are very diferent mariscos

Oooh, do you suppose she'd mind if I put that in the Chile Wiki?

No, don't think she'd mind.

I have invited her to participate here in the past but I guess she prefers tourist and traveler sites over expat sites.

Be very careful here ! CONGRIO (our favorite fish)IS not A CONGER EEL no matter what you read! This is a huge misunderstanding, widely publicised. Congrio is Congrio a loverly white fleshed fish in no way related to eel!!!!!!!

helibel wrote:Be very careful here ! CONGRIO (our favorite fish)IS not A CONGER EEL no matter what you read! This is a huge misunderstanding, widely publicised. Congrio is Congrio a loverly white fleshed fish in no way related to eel!!!!!!!

Not to mention there is more than one type.

I changed it in Wiki to say white fish.

Feel free to edit Chile Wiki, I've just been trying to put some basics in there.

Thank you both. EEUU is it red and black? I'm so far away and drooling. I can eat Chilean Sea bass here (anytime i am willing to pay $18 A POUND but no Congrio, alas)

the famous Molly at TA wrote:... Just to confuse you, congrio comes in three varieties: congrio negro, congrio colorado, congrio dorado. Each has its devotees. ...

At the artesanal fish market in San Antonio I've only seen negro and colorado/dorado so I'm clueless on the difference between the latter types.

"Negro" has dark colored skin (OK "black"), is cheaper and has a heavier, fishier flavor. The more expensive "dorado" (red skin) is the higher end, white, firm, milder flavor congrio. Always ask at the restaurant what you are getting to make sure the price you are paying is correct.

If its fresh , it is good! I have never had bad Congrio! Gold. black or red!

Have any of you heard of the seafood company called "GEOMAR"
They sell several types of canned shellfish.

I know of three different companies that have had their products exported here before.
Robinson Crusoe
Angelmo
Geomar (the most recent).

Can you please give me your opinion of their products (Geomar)
compared to others. They are also in the process of getting US
approval to import the Locos into the US.
(I know, if you live in Chile, there's a small chance u buy these because their much better fresh in the seafood market.)
Any info you have would be great.
Claudio