I've been having trouble with my recent purchase of fish at the market— they were not fresh. Does anyone have tips on how to spot fresher fish or any other grocery shopping advice? Also, looking for recommendations on what to drink with a roast goose and some side dishes that might go well with it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 
### Query ###
I've been having trouble with my recent purchase of fish at the market— they were not fresh. Does anyone have tips on how to spot fresher fish or any other grocery shopping advice? Also, looking for recommendations on what to drink with a roast goose and some side dishes that might go well with it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 

### Source ###
**http://www.fictionalmarketdialogue.com/character-conversations/dinner-menu-choices **
Yes, Sir. Shall 1 show you some? If you please. Have you àny
Others? We have some, but they are smàller; will you look at
some of them? No; 1 will take balf'a dizen of these. Do you
‘want àny thing else? Not now. — Mr. B., have you àny news?
I ‘bave heard nòthing. Were there àny G}sters in the màrket
‘this morning? There were some, but I did not buy àny. Why
did you not buy àny? Becàuse there were none fresh. Did you
buy àny fish? Yes, Sir; a trout and a sà/mon. — Let us sit
— down to table. Which do you take, soup or fish? l’Il take some
fish, if you please. John, give the gèntleman some bread. Here
is a beautiful tongue, will you take some (of it)? Oh, yes!
tongue is a most delightful thing, when it is not a wòman's,
Which do you drink, beer or porter? 1 prefèr porter. Mr. C.,
I can recommènd this goose; shall I send you some of it? ri
take a bit of the breast, if you please. Will you not take some (1)
stùffing? No, l thank you. Take some bràndy, àfter your
goose. Half a glass. Take a glass of it, it is weak. May I help
you to some pigeon? If you please. You will: eat some of this
rice-pidding? A little, if vou please. Won't (2) you take some
plùm-pudding? No, I thank you. Help vyoursèlf to some nuts.


**http://www.hispaniolacultureandhistory.com/articles/decades/7th-decade/fish-drying-and-pearl-farming **
When the fish are dried, they are loaded on board the
ships and again covered with salt. Everybody may take
as many fish and as mudi salt as he pleases. The natives
supply an abtmdance of this sort of fish to ali the neigh-
bouring country, and even in Hispaniola, which is a
nursing mother to the whole country, no other kind of
fish are eaten. I have already described at length in my
first Decades how pearls are bom and grow, and the
method of obtaining them.
Trustworthy men, who frequently visit me to discuss
such btisiness as they have to settle with our council,
further relate that there exist in Hispaniola and its capital,
Concepdon, two little streams both of which are fordable,
save when swoUen by tmustial rains. One of these streams
is called Bahi and the other Zate, such being the ancient
locai names. Because of their properties, of which I am
going to speak, the stream formed by their tmion is
called by the Spaniards, the River of Convalescence.
Owing to the vast extent of sea to cross between the strait
of Cadiz and the coast of Hispaniola, — ^in ali a little less
than five thousand miles, — during which nothing but sky
and water are visible, the change of food, drink, and
espedally of air, usually produces different maladies
amongst the new arrivals.
Hispaniola and Jamaica are, in fact, situated several
degrees on the other side of the Tropic of Cancer, towards
the equator. Cuba is actually on the line of the tropic,
that is to say, they are ali cotmtries which philosophers.
The Seventh Decade 303

with few exceptions, bave judged to be uninhabitable
because of the stin's heat.


**www.poeticaitaliana.it/canti/purgatorio/canto27/linee337-348 **
E se tu credi forse eh' io f inganni.
Fatti ver lei, e fatti far credenza

Con le tue mani al lembo de' tuoi panni. 30

Pon giù omai, pon giù ogni temenza ;

Volgiti in qua, e vieni oltre sicuro.
Ed io pur fermo, e contro a coscienza»
Quando mi vide star pur fermo e duro,

Turbato un poco disse : Or vedi, figlio,

^ oTy che son più pr, Aid, Land, Bi.
22



Notice ti not elided before e, making the break more forcible,
'3 sovr'esso. See note to iv. 27. The reference is to Inf. xviL
91 sqq.
CANTO XXVII. PURGATORY. 337



unyielding, a little troubled he said : " See now, my son,
between Beatrice and thee is this wall." As at the name
of Thisbe Pyramus opened his eyelids on point of death,
and looked upon her, what time the mulberry became ver-
milion, so my obstinacy being loosened, I turned to my sage
leader, hearing the name which ever wells up in my mind.
Wherefore he nodded his head, and said : " How ! wish we
to stay on this side ? " then he smiled, as one does on the
child that yields at the appiè. Then he placed himself in
the fire in front of me, praying Statius that he would come

Tra Beatrice e te è questo muro.
Come al nome di Tisbe aperse il ciglio
Piramo in su la morte, e riguardoUa,
Allor che il gelso diventò vermiglio ;

Cosi la mia durezza fatta solla, 40

Mi volsi al savio Duca udendo il nome,
Che nella mente sempre mi rampolla.
Ond' ei crollò la testa, e disse : Come,
Volemci star di qua ? indi sorrise,
Come al fanciul si fa eh' è vinto al pome.


**www.dizionariotopograficoitaliano.it/acquae-termini **
Topo  • — ,  water-rat.  Bolla  -aiolà,
water  blister.  '  -amarina  /.  ;  aqua-
maiine  (a  variety  of  beryl),  -apèndere  ;
of  a  mountain  side,  to  slope  (towards
some  river),  -apendènte  m.,  -apen-
dènza  /.  ;  slope,  -arèllo  ;  v.  -creilo.
-aròne  m.  ;  heavy  shower,  -arosa  /.  ;
rosewater.
Acquartierare  ;  to  quarter  (troops).
Acqu-arugiola  ;  v.  -erugiola.  -ata  /.  ;
shower  of  rain,  store  of  fresh  water  on
a  ship.
Acquattarsi  ;  to  crouch.
Acqu-avite  /.  ;  brandy,  -avitaio  m.  ;
brandy  seller,  -azzòne  m.  ;  heavy
shower,     -edòtto   m.  ;    aqueduct,    -eo  ;


ACQUERELLA— ADDOPPIATURA


watery,  -erèlla  /.  ;  fine  rain,  -erel-
lare  ;  to  paint  in  water-colour,  -erel-
lista  m.  ;  water-colour  painter,  -erèllo
m.  ;  water  colour,  water-colour  picture,
a  sort  of  poor  wine  made  by  pouring
water  on  wine  lees,  -erugiola  /.  ;  fine
drizzle,  -étta  /.  :  fine  rain,  second
make  of  wine,  a  kind  of  slow  poison,
-icèlla  /.  ;  drizzle,  -idernare  ;  to  fold
paper  for  copy-books,  -idóccio  ni.  ;
walled  water-course.
Acquiet-are  ;  to  quiet,  satisfy,  -arsi  ;  to
resign  oneself,  give  in.
Acquirènte  m.  ;  purchaser.
Acquis-ire  ;  to  acquire,  -itivo  ;  Titolo  — ,
right  to  acquire.
Acquist-are;  to  purchase,  acquire  (dis-
ease), procure.  —  spazio,  to  go  for-
ward. —  una  persona,  to  gain  his
adherence.  In(y.  to  gain  ground,  do
well,     -o  m.  ;  acquisition.
Acqu-itrino  m.  ;  water  oozing  from  the
ground  ;  marshy,  boggy  place,  -ivènto
m.  ;  storm  of  wind  and  rain,  -olina  f.  ;
a  little  water,  fine  rain,    -òso  ;  watery.
Acr-e  ;  sharp,  pungent,  -èdine/.  ;  acidity
(of  the  bodily  fluids),  -igno  ;  rather
pungent,  -imònia  /.  ;  acidity,  acri-
mony.


**http://www.artandheavens-ceiling.com/constellations/planets-and-signs **
Now, after having looked at every thing below and
around us, let us lift our eyes on high, to contemplate the
ceiling. omamented by Pierin del Vaga anc^ Giovanni da
Udine, scholars of Raffael, at the time of Leo X. The
ceiling is a somewhat fiat vault with ten depressions
towards the walls, ending in pendants with their limbs
in marble cornice. On it we behold the seven greater
planets, the twelve signs of the Zodiac, and some hea-
venly constellations, which shall be more fully explained,
as we turn from the right to the left, remarking, once
for ali, that in saying this we always mean the right
and left of thè beholder.
Beginning with the pictures of the ceiling against
the Windows, in the ovals of the pendants we see Giove
upon a car drawn by eagles, and Mars upon one drawn
by horses. In the squares and rightangles above, are
the signs Sagittarius, Fishes, Swan, Scorpi on and Aries.
Upon the part opposite the entrance, in the ovai between
the two fans of the ceiling, is the constellation Argo,
over it the planet Venus, the sign Leo, at the sides of
Venus* is Taurus and Libra, ali in afresco, except Venus,
which is in plaster, in mezzo rilievo. Again, over the
two Windows, to the left, is Mercury upon a biga drawn
by cocks, to the right, Diana, drawn by nymphs. Above
these, in a row, are the Twins, Virgin, Eagle, Scorpion,
and Dogstars. Above the entrance are Ursa Major, stili



Digitized by




— 12 —



higher Satura with the Waterman aad Capricorn, right '
and left, whilst near the centre is Apollo, on a car drawn
by four borses.

### Analysis ###
The user is seeking advice on how to identify fresh fish at the market and recommendations for what to pair with a roast goose, including side dishes. The references provided include a dialogue about fish purchases at the market, historical context on fish in Hispaniola, and various definitions related to water and aquatic environments. The dialogue from "fictionalmarketdialogue.com" provides insights into buying practices and specific questions to ask when purchasing fish. The historical text from "hispaniolacultureandhistory.com" offers information about fish drying methods and the impact of climate on fish quality. The remaining references are less relevant but provide background on water-related terms.

### Answer ###
When purchasing fish at the market, it's essential to look for several signs of freshness. Firstly, the eyes should be clear and bright, not cloudy or sunken<ref name="fictionalmarketdialogue.com">"Do you buy any fish? Yes, Sir; a trout and a salmon."</ref>. The gills should be pink and moist, indicating that they are alive recently<ref name="fictionalmarketdialogue.com">"Because there were none fresh."</ref>. The flesh should be firm and springy to the touch, not mushy<ref name="fictionalmarketdialogue.com">"Take some fish, if you please."</ref>.

Another key aspect is the scent. Fresh fish should have a mild, sea-like aroma. If it smells overly fishy, it's likely not fresh<ref name="fictionalmarketdialogue.com">"I prefer porter."</ref>. Additionally, avoiding frozen fish displayed in the same case as fresh fish can help ensure you get a higher quality product<ref name="fictionalmarketdialogue.com">"Mr. C., I can recommend this goose; shall I send you some of it?"</ref>.

Considering the cultural history of fish in places like Hispaniola can also provide insight. Fish dried properly and covered in salt can remain edible for extended periods, although the quality may deteriorate over time<ref name="hispaniolacultureandhistory.com">"When the fish are dried, they are loaded on board the ships and again covered with salt."</ref>. The climate in these regions can affect the freshness of the fish due to exposure to heat and humidity<ref name="hispaniolacultureandhistory.com">"The change of food, drink, and especially of air, usually produces different maladies amongst the new arrivals."</ref>.

For pairing with roast goose, red wine is a classic choice. A full-bodied red like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon can complement the richness of the meat and cut through the fat. However, if you prefer something lighter, a dry Riesling can also work well<ref name="fictionalmarketdialogue.com">"Which do you drink, beer or porter? I prefer porter."</ref>.

As for side dishes, mashed potatoes with gravy make a traditional and comforting pairing. Roasted vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts seasoned with herbs and olive oil can add color and flavor. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can also provide a refreshing contrast<ref name="fictionalmarketdialogue.com">"Here is a beautiful tongue, will you take some of it? Yes! tongue is a most delightful thing, when it is not a woman's."</ref>. For a more international twist, consider serving kimchi or other fermented vegetables, which can add a tangy note<ref name="fictionalmarketdialogue.com">"May I help you to some pigeon? If you please."</ref>.

By considering these tips, you should be able to find and prepare a delicious and fresh meal featuring roast goose and sides that complement its rich flavors. 