Whole Grilled Fish Stuffed with Brussels Sprouts and Lemon

Name: Whole Grilled Fish Stuffed with Brussels Sprouts and Lemon
Prep time: PT0D0H0M
Cook time: PT0D1H30M
Total time: PT0D1H30M
Yield: serves 6
Ingredients: One 7–8 lb. whole river fish, such as sábalo, freshwater trout, or Arctic char; 4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and smashed; Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper; 1 medium lemon; 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided; 1 lb. brussels sprouts, halved

To capture the rich flavors of fresh river fish, cook it whole over a wood fire.

Serves
serves 6
Time
1 hour 30 minutes

KEVIN VAUGHN

By Jorgelina Mandarina

Updated on July 29, 2021

Sábalo is a fresh river fish native to the Paraná River and it is amongst these water’s most prized catches. Found from Paraguay down to the river’s end in the Argentine province of Entre Ríos, this bottom feeder prefers deeper waters that can elude even the most dedicated fisherman. To replicate the flavor, look for river fish with pink flesh and high fat content. The faint earthiness of the fish is punctuated by bittersweet Brussels sprouts. Cooking times can vary based on distance from coals and insulation from wind. Argentine grills, such as those made by Ñuke, are often built with height adjustable grates and insulated side walls.

Featured in: "The Pescatarian Asado: Reframing Argentina's Native Bounty."

Ingredients

One 7–8 lb. whole river fish, such as sábalo, freshwater trout, or Arctic char
4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 medium lemon
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 lb. brussels sprouts, halved

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Instructions

Step 1

Preheat a grill to cook over high heat.

Step 2

Pat the fish dry with paper towels and place it vertically on a clean cutting board with the head pointing towards you. Using a very sharp, thin knife, make an incision just behind and above the anal and dorsal fins, parallel to the spine. Using the top of the ribs as a guide and leaving the fillet attached by about an inch of flesh along the top of the fish, cut all the way to the head. When you reach the head, gently but firmly smack the dull side of the knife to cut through the skull, pulling the knife out between the eyes and the gills. (The fish will be effectively “half” butterflied at this stage, with one fillet detached from the bones but still connected along the top of the fish.) Gently wash the fish with cold water to remove any remaining viscera and again pat dry with paper towels. Cut 4 shallow incisions along the rib bones without piercing the skin and insert the garlic cloves; season with salt and pepper. Halve one lemon and squeeze the juice of one half over the fish; cut the other half into thin rings and distribute over the fish.

Step 3

Place a large cast iron skillet on the grill to preheat. To a medium bowl, add the Brussel sprouts and 2 tablespoons olive oil, season to taste with salt, and toss to combine. When the skillet is hot, add half of the Brussels sprouts and cook, stirring frequently until lightly browned all over, about 10 minutes. Return the cooked Brussels sprouts to the bowl and toss with the uncooked ones, then sprinkle evenly over the interior of the fish. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and fold the top fillet back down to enclose.

Step 4

Place the fish on the grill, thick-side down, and cook without turning until the skin is browned and the meat can be pierced without any resistance, around 30 minutes. Using a wide, metal spatula to turn, and using your hand to help keep the fish closed, carefully flip the fish and continue cooking until the meat is opaque and yielding, about 15 minutes more. Carefully transfer to a tray and serve hot.