Verlasso salmon has been gaining a lot of attention lately as a uniquely sustainable seafood option But what exactly is it that makes this fish stand out? In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at Verlasso salmon and what sets it apart.
Verlasso salmon is a specific brand of farmed Atlantic salmon produced by AquaChile in Chile. It was launched in 2011 with the goal of raising salmon in a way that prioritizes sustainability, fish welfare, and environmental responsibility
The name “Verlasso” actually combines the Spanish word for “truth” (verdad) with the Italian word for “tie or connect” (laccio) to represent their commitment to a higher standard of quality and transparency.
Verlasso salmon is raised in the cold, pristine waters of Chile’s Patagonia region. Here, strong ocean currents and optimal growing conditions allow the salmon to thrive in a healthy, stress-free environment. This remote location and focus on fish welfare is key to Verlasso’s mission.
What Makes Verlasso Salmon Sustainable?
Verlasso salmon production centers around three key pillars of sustainability:
1. Reduced Reliance on Wild Fish in Feed
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Traditionally, farmed salmon are fed fishmeal and fish oil made from wild-caught fish like anchovies and sardines. This can deplete wild fish stocks.
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Verlasso has developed an innovative feed that incorporates algae, yeast, and fish trimmings to reduce reliance on wild fish. Their “fish in: fish out” ratio is less than 1:1.
2. Low Stocking Densities
- Verlasso pens have lower densities, giving salmon ample room to swim and stay healthy. This reduces disease risk and need for antibiotics.
3. Rigorous Environmental Monitoring
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Water quality, benthic health, and ecosystem impacts are closely tracked to minimize environmental footprint.
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Salmon farms are intentionally located in remote settings with strong currents that refresh waters.
In addition to these core pillars, Verlasso ensures full traceability from egg to plate and is certified by respected third-party sustainability programs like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. Their comprehensive focus on sustainability sets them apart.
The Verlasso Difference: Premium Quality and Flavor
Aside from sustainability, Verlasso is also praised for its distinctive salmon eating quality. The pristine growing conditions, nutritious diet, and commitment to fish welfare all translate into premium flavor and texture.
Some key qualities of Verlasso salmon include:
- Rich, buttery flavor with no “fishy” taste
- Firm, moist texture perfect for cooking
- Bright orange-red color
- Higher omega-3 content than conventional farmed salmon
- Leanness closer to wild salmon than farmed
For salmon lovers and connoisseurs, Verlasso offers an elevated dining experience with its combination of health, sustainability, and stand-out eating quality. This winning trifecta makes it a favorite of top chefs and discerning home cooks.
Behind the Scenes: How Verlasso Salmon is Raised
The path from egg to harvest is meticulously controlled by Verlasso to produce their signature sustainable salmon. Here is an overview of their production process:
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Salmon eggs are carefully selected from the healthiest broodstock for breeding. This allows Verlasso to choose fish with ideal traits.
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Eggs hatch at the Verlasso hatchery where the salmon spend their first few months. Conditions are optimized to ensure healthy fish.
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Young salmon are then transferred to open-ocean net pens in Chile’s Pacific coast. Sites are chosen for pristine water and strong currents.
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While growing in the pens, salmon are fed the special Verlasso diet to reduce wild fish dependency. Stocking densities are kept low.
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Constant monitoring ensures water quality, fish health and welfare, and ecosystem impacts are sustainably managed.
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Salmon are harvested at 12-18 months at a smaller size profile focused on quality and sustainability versus maximal growth.
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After harvest, Verlasso salmon is processed minimally to preserve quality before being shipped to retailers and restaurants.
This meticulous approach at every stage results in Verlasso’s stand-out salmon.
Verlasso Salmon: A More Sustainable Choice
The salmon farming industry has faced criticism over issues like high antibiotic use, fishmeal-reliant diets, overcrowded pens, and local environmental impacts.
Verlasso aims to address these pressing issues through their innovative model of responsible aquaculture. By raising salmon in a way that supports both human and environmental health, they offer consumers a feel-good option for putting salmon on the dinner table.
Choosing Verlasso aligns with supporting better stewardship of ocean resources and sustainable seafood. As consumer awareness grows, Verlasso provides an option that aligns with our evolving values while still enjoying the delicious flavor of salmon.
Where to Buy and Cook with Verlasso Salmon
While production is limited, Verlasso salmon can be found at specialty seafood suppliers, high-end grocery retailers like Whole Foods Market, and fine dining restaurants. Availability is focused in major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Verlasso salmon can be substituted in any recipe calling for Atlantic salmon. Its versatility lends itself to being cooked on the grill, roasted, pan-seared, poached, smoked, and incorporated into ceviches or tartares. For the full experience, it is hard to beat Verlasso salmon prepared simply and enjoyed sashimi-style to appreciate its rich flavor and velvety texture when raw.
The Future of Sustainable Seafood
Verlasso represents the vanguard in demonstrating that large-scale aquaculture can be done in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. As concerns grow over depleted ocean resources and the impacts of conventional fish farming, Verlasso provides a model for how the industry can evolve to support rather than undermine the health of our oceans.
By investing in alternative feeds, emphasizing fish welfare, monitoring ecosystem impacts, and committing to transparency, Verlasso raises the bar for responsible salmon production. In doing so, they bring us one fin stroke closer to a truly sustainable future for seafood.
Greek Salmon Salad Bowls Ingredients:
Alright, a few quick ingredient notes before we get to the recipe! To make these Greek salmon salad bowls, you will need:
- Salmon: Feel free to use any variety of salmon that you love best. Since we will be flaking the cooked salmon into the salad, it doesn’t matter if you cook multiple filets or one large slab of salmon — you will just need about one pound of salmon in total.
- Arugula: I love the peppery flavor and hearty texture of arugula in this salad, but any greens that you love best will do.
- Veggies: I used a crisp mix of fresh bell pepper, English cucumber and red onions. (If you would like to mellow the flavor of the sliced onions, just rinse them briefly under cold running water before adding them to the salad.)
- Feta cheese: Feta adds such a great tangy flavor to the salad. But we also occasionally make this recipe with goat cheese or creamy burrata, which are also delicious.
- Avocado: Feel free to dice or slice the avocado for this salad.
- Nuts/seeds: We typically toss in a handful of roasted pepitas, but toasted walnuts, almonds or sunflower seeds would also be great options.
- Everyday dressing: You will need one batch of my favorite everyday dressing, to which I recommend adding 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano for this particular salad.
Here are a few other potential ways to customize your Greek salmon salad bowls…
- Bake (instead of pan-sear) the salmon: Here’s my favorite method if you prefer to bake the salmon.
- Add extra seasonings to the salmon: I usually just stick with salt and pepper, but feel free to add any extra herb blends or seasonings to the salmon that you prefer.
- Add tomatoes: Fresh cherry or sun-dried tomatoes would also be delicious in this salad.
- Add olives: We often add in a handful of Kalamata olives if we have a jar on hand.
- Use a different protein: We occasionally make this salad with good-quality canned fish (tuna, salmon, mackerel, etc) when wanting to save time, but you could also pan-sear any other type of fish that sounds good. Or chicken, steak, or shrimp would be great protein options in this salad as well.
- Use different greens/veggies/cheese: All of these ingredients are quite flexible if you would like to sub in a different type of salad greens, veggies or cheese in this salad.
More Favorite Salad Recipes:
Here are some more favorites that you are welcome to serve as side salads, or gussy up (just like we did here) as an entrée:
Verlasso Salmon
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