What causes the cooked skate meat to maintain firmness and separate uniquely?
Answer
High collagen content in the flesh
The defining structural quality of cooked skate, specifically its ability to resist total disintegration while separating into distinct strands, is directly attributed to its inherent composition. The flesh contains a high concentration of collagen. This high collagen content dictates that as the meat cooks, it sets with a firm texture. This structural integrity, governed by the collagen, is what facilitates the natural separation along the connective tissues, ensuring the meat retains its form as slivers rather than crumbling like standard flaky fish.

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How to cook skate wing - YouTube
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