Best 7 Island Frydays Spicy Escovitch Red Snapper Recipes

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Embark on a culinary adventure to the vibrant island of Jamaica with our tantalizing recipe for Spicy Escovitch Red Snapper. This traditional dish, deeply rooted in Jamaican cuisine, promises an explosion of flavors that will transport your taste buds to the Caribbean. The succulent red snapper, expertly marinated in a blend of zesty Scotch bonnet peppers, fragrant ginger, aromatic thyme, and zesty citrus juices, captures the essence of Jamaican boldness. Accompanied by a medley of sweet, savory, and tangy vegetables, including crisp onions, succulent carrots, and tender bell peppers, this dish is a symphony of textures and tastes. Discover the art of preparing this Jamaican delicacy, from selecting the freshest fish to mastering the perfect balance of spices. Elevate your kitchen skills and indulge in the vibrant flavors of Jamaica with our comprehensive guide to Spicy Escovitch Red Snapper.

In addition to the main recipe, this article offers a collection of complementary Jamaican delights, ensuring a complete culinary experience. Dive into the secrets of Jamaican Rice and Peas, a flavorful combination of rice, red kidney beans, and aromatic spices. Delight in the simplicity of Steamed Cabbage, a refreshing side dish that complements the spicy escovitch sauce perfectly. Satisfy your sweet cravings with Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding, a delectable dessert brimming with warm spices and the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Lastly, quench your thirst with a refreshing Jamaican Sorrel Drink, a vibrant blend of hibiscus flowers, ginger, and spices, perfect for balancing the heat of the escovitch. With this comprehensive guide, you'll be equipped to host an unforgettable Jamaican feast, transporting your guests to the heart of the Caribbean through authentic flavors and culinary traditions.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ESCOVITCH SNAPPER



Escovitch Snapper image

Provided by Food Network

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 5 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
1 whole snapper
2 tablespoons Ena's Seafood Spice Rub, recipe follows
Batter, for coating fish, optional
Escovitch Dressing, for serving, recipe follows
2 tablespoons ground pimento seed (allspice)
1 tablespoon adobo powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon cayenne
1 tablespoon sea salt
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 tablespoon ground white pepper
2 to 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
6 to 8 pimento seeds (allspice)
Sea salt
1 ounce carrot, shaved or julienned
1 ounce sweet white or red onion, sliced
4 to 5 Scotch Bonnet peppers, chopped
1 sprig fresh thyme

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or cast-iron skillet to 350 degrees F.
  • Score the fish on both sides with a knife. Sprinkle inside and out with the Seafood Spice Rub. Coat in batter if using (see Cook's Note).
  • Fry the fish until the skin, or batter, is crispy, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Serve with Escovitch Dressing.
  • In a food processor, pulse together the pimento seeds, adobo, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, black pepper and white pepper. Add the olive oil and process until the mixture has a deep red color, about 45 seconds.
  • Combine the vinegar and 3 cups water in a saucepan. Add the sugar, pimento seeds and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Add the carrots, onions, peppers and thyme. Remove the pan from the heat and let the vegetables cook slightly in the hot liquid (they should still be firm).

ROASTED SNAPPER, ISLAND EDITION



Roasted Snapper, Island Edition image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

10 dried allspice berries
2 garlic cloves (6 grams)
1 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger (15 grams), sliced into thin rounds
1 Scotch bonnet chile (10 grams; in a pinch, a Fresno chile can be used), seeded and white membrane removed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 lime, 1/2 zested with a rasp grater (0.7 gram zest), the remaining fruit cut into thin wedges
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Canola oil (or other neutral oil, such as avocado or safflower)
One 1 1/2- to 2-pound red snapper, head on, dressed and scaled

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F with a large cast-iron skillet or small rimmed sheet pan (an aluminum quarter sheet pan is ideal) on the middle rack. Do this at least half an hour before cooking.
  • Grind the allspice berries coarsely with a mortar and pestle. Add the garlic and grind to a chunky paste. Add the ginger and grind until broken up, then add the Scotch bonnet and grind to a paste.
  • Stir in the thyme, half the lime zest, half the salt, and 1 tablespoon of the oil.
  • Cut 5 diagonal, shallow gashes across each side of the fish from the head to the tail. Try not to cut more than 1/3 of an inch deep. The cuts should be diagonal from belly to back but also diagonally into the flesh...on the bias.
  • Lightly lube the fish with oil. Sprinkle with the remaining half of the salt, being careful to salt the cavity as well.
  • Smear the paste onto the fish with a spoon, working it into the gashes. Repeat on the second side.
  • Carefully place the fish on the preheated pan and roast for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fish flakes with a fork.
  • To remove, carefully work a metal spatula (a slotted "fish turner" is ideal) and carefully move to a cutting board or platter to serve with the lime wedges. Serving in pieces is virtually impossible so just let people eat directly off the board or platter.
  • Consume...careful of the bones

KEVIN NURSE'S JERK RED SNAPPER AND ISLAND SALSA



Kevin Nurse's Jerk Red Snapper and Island Salsa image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

2 ounces ground allspice
2 tablespoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground clove
2 ounces freshly ground coriander
2 ounces freshly ground grains of paradise
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 cloves garlic
6 scallions
4 habanero peppers
4 ounces lime juice
Sea salt
Dash soy sauce
Canola oil, as needed
1 red snapper, about 2 to 3 pounds
4 zucchini (2 green and 2 yellow), sliced lengthwise
2 red bell peppers
Island Salsa, recipe follows
4 ounces mango, chopped
4 ounces pineapple, chopped
1 star fruit, chopped
2 ounces red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat grill.
  • Put all the spices, garlic, scallions, peppers, lime juice, salt, to taste, and a dash of soy sauce in a blender. Combine ingredients with oil to make a paste. Score the fish, and then rub the marinade into the fish. Place in a resealable plastic bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove the snapper from the bag and place on a greased grill, cooking each side for 7 minutes without flipping.
  • While the fish is cooking, brush the zucchini with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Put zucchini slices and whole bell peppers on grill, cooking until the zucchini is tender and red pepper blackened. Set zucchini aside and let the red pepper steam in a covered bowl for a few minutes before removing the skins. Serve vegetables with the whole fish, garnished with Island Salsa.
  • Combine the chopped the fruit and onion in a bowl. Stir in the red wine vinegar and cilantro. Then add salt and pepper, to taste. The salsa will be served on the side to cool off the spice of the fish.

SNAPPER ESCOVITCH



Snapper Escovitch image

A Caribbean favorite, this light, tender and flaky fish is made with whole snapper, but you can also use fillets for ease. This recipe has a mellow spice to let the flavor of the fish shine through, but it's open to adaptation: Feel free to add a little more hot pepper or allspice, if you like, for more intensity. If you're in a hurry or low on spices, you can substitute Old Bay, jerk or Cajun seasoning blends for the spice mix in Step 1. Then, turn it into a sandwich (see Tip), paired with sweet plantain fries, or eat it as a light meal on its own.

Provided by Millie Peartree

Categories     dinner, weekday, weeknight, seafood, main course

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup vegetable oil, plus more as needed
4 (6-ounce) skin-on snapper fillets or 2 pounds whole red snapper
1 dry bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
3 small bell peppers (red, yellow, green or one of each), thinly sliced
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 Scotch bonnet chile, pierced
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon allspice berries or pickling spice
4 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup red wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Mix together 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, garlic powder, ginger, salt and pepper. Season the fish with the mixture.
  • In a large skillet over medium, heat oil until really hot but not smoking, about 3 to 5 minutes, and add the fish flesh-side down. Cook until the flesh gets a little color, about 5 minutes. Flip, then continue cooking until the skin is crisp. Remove fish and set aside on a serving platter. Drain oil, leaving about 2 to 3 tablespoons in the skillet.
  • Return the skillet to the stove. Add the bay leaf and fresh ginger, and sauté over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add bell peppers, onion, carrots, Scotch bonnet chile, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, allspice and the remaining thyme leaves, and continue cooking, stirring, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add vinegar, and stir to combine all the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, until the vegetables soften but still retain bite, and spoon over fish. (Leave the allspice berries or pickling spice in the topping. Simply eat around them.)

JAMAICAN FRIED SNAPPER



Jamaican Fried Snapper image

We cooked this traditional 'escovitch' dish of fried fish with my grandmother the night before church, so we could serve it after the service the next day at a large communal meal.

Provided by Chef Robert

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 25m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (1 1/2 pound) whole red snapper, cleaned and scaled
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
½ white onion, sliced
⅛ teaspoon minced garlic
½ large carrot, peeled and cut into thin strips
1 sprig fresh thyme, leaves stripped
1 allspice berry, cracked
¼ habanero pepper, seeded and minced
¼ cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon water
¾ teaspoon salt
1 pinch brown sugar

Steps:

  • Pat the fish dry and cut 3 small slits on each side of the fish. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat 1 quart oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until smoking. Carefully place the fish in the pan and fry until browned and crisp, about 5 minutes per side. Remove fish and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir onion, garlic and carrot into the pan; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes. Add thyme, allspice, habanero pepper, vinegar, water, salt, and sugar and continue cooking until onions have softened and liquid has reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Serve fish topped with onion mixture spooned over the top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 770 calories, Carbohydrate 4.9 g, Cholesterol 124.8 mg, Fat 50.9 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 70.3 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 1035.7 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

ESCOVEITCHED SNAPPER



Escoveitched Snapper image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 to 8 pieces (1 pound) snappers, scaled, cleaned, and gutted
Salt
Fresh ground pepper
Juice of 2 limes
1/2 cup flour
Oil for frying
4 medium onions
1 to 2 bonnet peppers, julienned
1 to 2 red peppers, julienned
1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar

Steps:

  • Rinse the fish with water and lime juice, and pat dry. Then, score the fish on both sides with a sharp knife. Salt and pepper the fish inside and outside. Lightly dust the fish with flour. Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet. Fry the fish in one layer in batches until golden and crisp. Do not crowd the skillet. When all the fish are done, set aside. Pour off some of the oil leaving just enough to saute the onions until softened. Then add the bonnet and red peppers, and saute 1 minute more. Turn the onion mixture out over the fish. In the same skillet heat water, vinegar, and sugar and bring to a boil, then pour over the fish and onions. Let cool and refrigerate.

SPICY RED SNAPPER



Spicy Red Snapper image

My in-laws go deep sea fishing a lot, so we're always trying new seafood recipes. This is one that my mother-in-law gave me, and it's incredible

Provided by JelsMom

Categories     Very Low Carbs

Time 20m

Yield 6 fillets, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 (6 ounce) red snapper fillets

Steps:

  • On a large piece of wax paper, mix together paprika, cayenne, black pepper, onion powder, thyme, basil, garlic, and oregano.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with oil.
  • Brush both sides of snapper fillets with butter mixture, reserve remaining.
  • Coat both sides of fillets with seasoning mixture.
  • Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat until a drop of water sizzles on it.
  • Drizzle half of remaining butter mixture on one side of the fillets and place fillets butter side down in pan.
  • Cook over high heat until the fish is deeply browned.

Tips:

  • Choose the Right Fish: Opt for a firm-fleshed fish like Red Snapper, Grouper, or Kingfish to withstand the frying and marinating process.
  • Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest ingredients possible, especially for the vegetables and herbs. This will greatly enhance the flavor of the dish.
  • Marinate the Fish: Don't skip the marinating step. It helps infuse the fish with flavor and keep it moist during frying.
  • Fry the Fish Properly: Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the fish. This will help create a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside moist.
  • Don't Overcook the Fish: Fish cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked fish becomes dry and tough.
  • Use a Good Quality Escovitch Sauce: The escovitch sauce is the star of the dish, so make sure to use a good quality sauce or make your own from scratch.
  • Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with fresh herbs and vegetables for a pop of color and flavor. Serve with rice, boiled plantains, or your favorite sides.

Conclusion:

Island Fridays' Spicy Escovitch Red Snapper is a delightful Jamaican dish that combines vibrant flavors and textures. With its crispy fried fish, tangy escovitch sauce, and aromatic vegetables, this dish is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seafood lover or simply looking for a new and exciting recipe, this escovitch red snapper is a must-try. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary journey to the beautiful island of Jamaica!

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