Sole is the name of a family of flatfishes that have twisted skulls so that both eyes are on the same side of the body. Soles live in warm seas near shores. Their eyes are small and are set close together. The mouth of the sole is crooked, and the sole's body is flat and oval shaped.

     The European sole grows from 10 to 26 inches (25 to 66 centimeters) long, and usually weighs about 1 pound (0.5 kilogram). The common American sole, also called hogchoker, lives along the eastern coast of North America. It may travel far up rivers. The American sole is often used as food. Some kinds of flounder that live along coasts are also called soles.

     Scientific Classification. Soles form the sole family, Soleidae. The scientific name for the American sole is Trinectes maculatus. The European sole is Solea solea.

Today's Featured Recipe:
Herbed Sole Filets