Jamaican-Inspired Kingfish Escovitch

Kingfish Escovitch is a vibrant and flavorful dish showcasing the best of the Caribbean’s culinary traditions, particularly that of Jamaica. This dish features kingfish steaks, which are seasoned, lightly floured, and fried to golden perfection before being marinated in a tangy, spicy escovitch sauce. Made from a blend of vinegar, soy sauce, tomato puree, and aromatic spices, the escovitch sauce is simmered with julienned carrots, sliced onions, bell peppers, Scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, ginger, and shallots, creating a symphony of flavors and textures that elevate the fish to new heights.

Kingfish steaks are seasoned with salt and ground black pepper, then lightly coated in flour to achieve a crispy outer layer. Frying the fish in hot extra virgin olive oil until golden brown ensures a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender flesh inside.

The escovitch sauce is the heart of this dish. It’s bursting with robust flavors and a hint of heat. The sauce starts with garlic, ginger, and shallots sautéed in the same skillet used to fry the fish, providing a flavorful base. Julienne carrots, thinly sliced onions, bell peppers, and fiery Scotch bonnet peppers are added, simmering until slightly softened. This mixture is then enriched with soy sauce, white vinegar, tomato puree, brown sugar, ground allspice, and fresh thyme leaves, creating a balance of acidity, sweetness, and spice. The sauce is simmered until all ingredients meld together, producing a vibrant, aromatic mixture.

What are Scotch bonnet peppers?

Scotch bonnet peppers are a type of chili pepper known for their intense heat and distinctive fruity, slightly sweet flavor. These peppers are commonly used in Caribbean cuisine to add spice and depth to dishes like jerk chicken and escovitch fish. They are similar in heat to habanero peppers. Their unique flavor and high heat make them famous for spicy sauces, marinades, and salsas.

The kingfish steaks are placed in a shallow dish, and the hot escovitch sauce is poured over them. This marination process allows the fish to soak up the sauce’s flavors, significantly enhancing its taste profile. Letting the fish marinate ensures that each bite is infused with the tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet notes of the Escovitch sauce.

The dish is garnished with chopped green onions, adding a fresh, vibrant touch. Lime wedges are served on the side, offering a burst of zesty flavor that complements the rich, complex tastes of the fish and sauce.

Kingfish Escovitch is a culinary experience that captures the essence of Caribbean cuisine. The combination of crispy, fried fish with the bold, tangy escovitch sauce creates an intriguing blend of flavors and textures that is both satisfying and exciting. Each element of the dish works together to deliver a memorable dining experience.

This dish also carries cultural significance, reflecting the rich history and diverse influences of Caribbean cooking. It showcases the region’s ability to transform simple, readily available ingredients into a sophisticated and deeply satisfying dish. Jamaican-Inspired Kingfish Escovitch is a testament to Caribbean cuisine’s creativity and vibrancy.

Jamaican-Inspired kingfish Escortitch is a flavorful, colorful, and culturally rich dish that offers a taste of the Caribbean with every bite. Its preparation may be straightforward, but the resulting flavors are complex and deeply satisfying, making it a standout dish that is sure to impress.

Jamaican-Inspired Kingfish Escovitch

Recipe by Kyle Taylor

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: MainsCuisine: Jamaican, FusionDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

Total time

1

hour 

15

minutes

Jamaican-Inspired Kingfish Escovitch is a vibrant Caribbean dish featuring fried kingfish steaks marinated in a tangy, spicy sauce made from vinegar, peppers, and aromatic spices. This flavorful dish is garnished with fresh green onions and served with lime wedges for an extra burst of freshness.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds kingfish steaks

• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil oil

• 1 large carrot, julienned

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

• 1 large bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 2 Scotch bonnet peppers, thinly sliced

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated

• 1 shallot, minced

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 1/2 cup tomato puree

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground allspice

• 1 tablespoon thyme leaves

• for garnish, chopped green onion

• for serving, lime wedges

• to taste, salt and ground black pepper

Directions

• Prepare the Fish:
  Season the kingfish steaks with salt and ground black pepper. Lightly coat the steaks in flour, shaking off any excess.
• Fry the Fish:
  Heat the extra virgin oliv oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the steaks for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
• Make the Escovitch Sauce:
  Stir in the carrots, onion, bell pepper, and Scotch bonnet peppers. Cook for about 5 minutes until slightly softened. Add the garlic, ginger, and shallot, and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  Add the soy sauce, vinegar, tomato puree, brown sugar, allspice, thyme leaves, salt, and ground black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Combine and Serve:
  Place the fried kingfish on a serving platter. Pour the hot escovitch sauce and vegetables over the fish. Let the fish marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Garnish and Serve:
  Serve warm or at room temperature. Place a piece of marinated kingfish steak on each plate. Spoon the escovitch sauce and vegetables generously over the fish. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve with lime wedges on the side for an added burst of freshness.