How can I prepare freshwater fish without completely cooking it? Can I eat freshwater fish raw?

Question

Besides a complete cooking like frying, baking, BBQ or smoking is there any other way to prepare freshwater fish that would render it safe to eat in a sushi type application?

Answer 1

Other than catching it deep in the ocean, probably not.

The closer to land the fish is caught, the more likely it is to be carrying parasites. You can flash freeze fish to kill the parasites, but it is virtually impossible to achieve temperatures that low with noncommercial equipment.

Answer 2

In many** parts of the world, fresh water fish, and small species coastal fish are perfectly fine to eat raw without further processing

Check with your local government food standards department on the water and fish quality where you live

** By land area, not by population. In most heavily populated areas you cannot eat fresh fish, or coastal fish raw

Answer 3

I wouldn't recommend trying, really. It's safest to just cook the fish.

Curing with lots of salt (as in gravlax) or acid (as in ceviche) would take care of most bacteria. Freezing at a very low temperature (0°F) for 24 hours can kill most parasites, but home freezers cannot get cold enough. If the fish was previously (and industrially) frozen, you might be able to use it in a ceviche preparation. Just don't send me the hospital bill.