My Spanish grandmother used to put vinegar on the fish before cleaning it, and I was surprised to discover the reason behind this gesture.

Just use a knife or even rub the scales with your hands, and they will come off by themselves, effortlessly!

Other helpful tips:

• To prevent the fish from slipping during cleaning, place it on a damp cloth. It will stay in place.
• Use a plastic bag or newspaper to clean the fish. The scales will stay inside the bag and won’t spread throughout the kitchen.
• If the smell of fish persists on your hands, rub them with lemon or baking soda to remove the smell.