Hudutu (Fish and Coconut Stew with Mashed Plantains)

Name: Hudutu (Fish and Coconut Stew with Mashed Plantains)
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 4-6
Ingredients: 2 lb. skin-on kingfish or swordfish filets; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 ⁄ 4 cup fresh lime juice; 2 tsp. ground cumin; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 6 green plantains, plus 2 ripe plantains, peeled and cut into 2" pieces; 7 cups coconut milk; 1 ⁄ 2 tsp. ground annatto seed; 6 sprigs culantro or cilantro, chopped; 4 large basil leaves, chopped; 1 ⁄ 2 small yellow onion, minced

Serves
serves 4-6

PENNY DE LOS SANTOS

Garifuna cooks make a starchy plantain mash akin to African fufu and serve it with this basil- and culantro-laced stew. This recipe first appeared in our November 2012 issue along with Betsy Andrews's story Cassava Nation.

What You Will Need

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Ingredients

2 lb. skin-on kingfish or swordfish filets
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¹⁄₄ cup fresh lime juice
2 tsp. ground cumin
5 cloves garlic, minced
6 green plantains, plus 2 ripe plantains, peeled and cut into 2" pieces
7 cups coconut milk
¹⁄₂ tsp. ground annatto seed
6 sprigs culantro or cilantro, chopped
4 large basil leaves, chopped
¹⁄₂ small yellow onion, minced

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Instructions

Step 1

Season fish with salt and pepper and place in a large resealable plastic bag; add juice, 1 tsp. cumin, and garlic, and toss to combine. Seal bag, and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Step 2

Place all plantains in a 6-qt. saucepan of salted water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain; transfer to a food processor. Season with salt and pepper; puree until smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.

Step 3

Bring coconut milk and 1 cup water to a boil in a 6-qt. saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining cumin, annatto, culantro, basil, and onion; cook until onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Add fish along with marinade; cook until fish is tender, about 8 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and serve alongside plantain mixture.

Season fish with salt and pepper and place in a large resealable plastic bag; add juice, 1 tsp. cumin, and garlic, and toss to combine. Seal bag, and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Place all plantains in a 6-qt. saucepan of salted water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain; transfer to a food processor. Season with salt and pepper; puree until smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.
Bring coconut milk and 1 cup water to a boil in a 6-qt. saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining cumin, annatto, culantro, basil, and onion; cook until onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Add fish along with marinade; cook until fish is tender, about 8 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and serve alongside plantain mixture.

Hudutu

Garifuna cooks make a starchy plantain mash akin to African fufu and serve it with this basil- and culantro-laced stew. See the recipe for Hudutu (Fish and Coconut Stew with Mashed Plantains) »