Why is sprat useful and how to cook it in tomato sauce

Sprat can be considered versatile, since it can be used to cook different dishes. For example, soups, appetizers, canned food and others. But before you eat it daily, it is important to find out what the benefits and harms of sprat are.

What does sprat look like and where is it found

Sprat is the general name for schooling pelagic fish that belong to the herring family. Their features are silver color and miniature sizes. There are rough scales on the abdomen, because of which it will not be possible to see them at great depths. The most famous varieties include: Baltic, Caspian, Black Sea, Arabian, big-eyed tulka, and European sprat.

They can live in fresh and salt waters. Many countries are engaged in fishing, including Ukraine and Russia. Every year, Russian fishermen catch more than 500 tons of this species, and the length of one sprat does not even reach 15 cm.

The chemical composition of sprat

Few people know about the benefits and dangers of sprat, and in fact it contains vitamins, minerals and trace elements necessary for the proper development of the body. 100 g of fish contains:

• 83 g of cholesterol is 285 daily intake of a person;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• zinc;
• phosphorus;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• iron;
• vitamins B1 and B2, PP and D.

Nutritional value and calorie content of sprat

The table below shows the calorie and nutritional values ​​depending on the type of processing.

Useful properties of sprat

In addition to semi-saturated acids, the product contains calcium, which helps the organs to function properly and also contributes to the formation of bones. Useful vitamins and trace elements are present not only in the sprat abdomen, but also in the scales, tail, ridge and bones. They contain the maximum amount of phosphorus and calcium, therefore it is recommended to cook and eat fish whole. It is often recommended for use as a dietary product. But in order to preserve all the beneficial substances and properties, the treatment must be gentle.

Is sprat in tomato sauce good for you?

The calorie content of sprat in tomato sauce is 186 kcal. It is primarily a source of protein. It is an essential material for cell growth and repair. Unlike that obtained from animal meat, useful fish protein does not overload the digestive system, it is better and more fully absorbed.

Sprat in tomato is rich in Omega-6 and Omega-9 acids. They have a low density, reduce the amount of lipoproteins and triglycerides, lowering the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. These beneficial properties help with atherosclerosis. Thanks to them, the risk of stroke and heart attack is significantly reduced.

The benefits of the properties of sprat in tomato, as well as fresh, is that it is fortified with vitamin D, which together with calcium and phosphorus supports the health of the skeletal system. Tomatoes make the product even healthier, as it contains lycopene, a carotenoid that is an effective antioxidant.Numerous studies have shown that with its regular consumption, the risk of developing malignant neoplasms is reduced.

The properties of lycopene block oxygen free radicals and fight peroxidation. It is believed that these processes lead to accelerated aging. Lycopene activates the immune system, helping to resist disease-causing microorganisms.

Is there a benefit in salted and smoked sprat

The benefits of smoked and salted sprat for the body are the contained in it a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids. When using it, a person receives calcium, iron, phosphorus and magnesium, important for its proper development. And also all the vitamins that are present in fresh fish. A small portion of smoked or salted food in your daily diet is not harmful.

How to cook sprat and what to serve it with

First of all, canned food is prepared from this product, in which the whole fish is used, and this guarantees the presence of the maximum amount of nutrients in it. And at home you can cook the following dishes:

• sprat in a spicy sauce;
• soup and cabbage soup in tomato sauce;
• from salted - soft and tender canapes;
• stewed;
• fried with onions.

You can cook this small and healthy fish in any of the following ways, and serve it with potatoes, cereals and fresh salads.

Recipe for cooking sprat in tomato

Sprat is a small, unsteady fish that is easy to cook in a tomato. To prepare such a healthy snack at home, you will need the following products:

• 0.5 kg fresh or frozen sprat;
• carrot;
• bulb;
• 2 tbsp. juice from tomatoes;
• 1 tbsp. l. flour;
• a pinch of ground black pepper;
• allspice - 2 peas;
• a pinch of ground coriander;
• Bay leaf;
• 1 tbsp. l. Sahara;
• 1/2 tbsp. l. salt;
• oil for frying vegetables.

Sprat is prepared in tomato sauce as follows:

1. Defrost fish, separate entrails, rinse.
2. Peel the onion and chop it into half rings.
3. Chop the peeled carrots with a blender or use a grater.
4. Fry the onion in a frying pan in oil, and then add the carrots and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
5. Put fish and fried vegetables into a cauldron or saucepan with thick walls, add spices.
6. In a separate container, mix the tomato juice and flour, then mix thoroughly so that there are no lumps.
7. Pour the resulting tomato sauce so that it completely covers it and fills the space in the pan between it.
8. Cover the cauldron with a lid and place the stew in an oven preheated to 220 ° C.
9. After 90 minutes, the sprat in the tomato will be ready to eat.

This recipe can also be used for canning, but 10 minutes before cooking, add 1/4 cup of vinegar. They are carefully laid out in sterile jars and rolled up. Store in a refrigerator or cool place.

Harm of sprat and contraindications

Salted, smoked sprat and in tomato can harm people with problems associated with the digestive tract. It contains additives that irritate the walls of the stomach and intestines. The harm in these cases is minimal - it is expressed by mild indigestion.

How to choose and store sprat

Any fish, including sprat, is frozen only once. If there is a thick layer of ice on the surface, this is a sign that the freezing was carried out repeatedly, and this negatively affects its properties. The ice layer should be thin without damage. Their appearance also indicates re-freezing. Light spots are a sign of deep freezing. If during the procedure all standards were observed, then the appearance of the product and properties do not change.

If the fish seems too light, despite the thick layer of ice, then this may indicate that it was frozen a long time ago and all moisture was lost.When buying a product in its original packaging, you should pay attention to its tightness and the absence of frost. When buying frozen fish, it is better to cook it right away, this is the only way it is guaranteed to retain its useful properties.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of sprat have been researched and known for a long time. This small fish provides the human body with the necessary vitamins and microelements for its proper development and work. The harm is minimal - it is not recommended for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.