Jerked Fish with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

This easy recipe for jerked fish with grilled pineapple salsa is a light and flavorful summertime dinner! The Jamaican jerk marinade is spicy and smoky, and the grilled pineapple salsa gives it lots of sweet, tangy flavor.

erk! No, not you. The fish! This Jamaican inspired jerked barramundi is the ultimate summer supper. It’s light, fresh and jam packed with flavor. The recipe has quite a few ingredients, but if it’s authentic jerk flavor you’re after, you’re just going to have to accept that. To cut down on time, you could totally substitute a store bought jerk marinade in a pinch, but it’s not going to be quite as good. This one is bold, spicy and a perfect pairing with the sweet, smoky grilled pineapple salsa. I make a double batch of marinade and freeze the rest for another time. This marinade is also great on chicken, pork and vegetables.

Not every fish can stand up to the strong flavors of jerk, but the mid oil content and meaty texture of barramundi makes it an excellent choice. It won’t fall apart in the marinade, it won’t dry out on the grill, and it won’t be overpowered by everything else on the plate. I opt to prepare my fish with the skin on, but it’s wonderful without it as well. Did you know most of the omega-3 fatty acids in fish are found in the skin? Get it nice and crisp on the grill and everyone at the table will be fighting for a piece.

Nervous about grilling fish? Don’t be! Just remember to get your grill nice and hot, make sure it’s cleaned and well oiled, and make sure the fish is well oiled, too. Don’t poke and prod, give it time to cook on one side before flipping and you shouldn’t have any problems.

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Jerked Fish with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

• Author: Nicole Gaffney (ColeyCooks.com)

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Ingredients

For the Fish

• 6 scallions, green tops only
• 2 large cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 1 scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, seeds removed*
• 2 teaspoons allspice
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, or ½ teaspoon dried
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for coating fish and oiling grill
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 6-ounce barramundi sea bass fillets, or any other firm white fish, skin on or off

For the Salsa

• ½ medium pineapple, skin and core removed
• ½ medium red onion
• 1 jalapeno pepper
• 2 limes, halved, plus more for serving
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced, plus more for garnish
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for coating fruit and vegetables
• salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Make the jerk marinade by combining the scallions, garlic, ginger, scotch bonnet pepper, allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, brown sugar, orange juice, lime juice, soy sauce, vinegar, oil and salt in a blender. Blend on high until the mixture is totally smooth.
2. Pat the barramundi fillets very dry, then place in a zip top bag and cover with marinade. Seal the bag and move the fish around to be sure it’s all thoroughly coated. Place the bag in the refrigerator and marinate for 30 minutes.
3. While the fish is marinating, prepare the salsa by preheating a grill** to medium high heat. Cut the pineapple and red onion into 1-inch thick slices, then coat them, along with the jalapeño and limes, with olive oil and season with salt. Place the fruit and vegetables on the grill and allow them to char on all sides, with the exception of the limes which only need to char on the cut side.
4. Remove from the grill and allow to cool, then chop the pineapple, red onion and jalapeño into bite sized pieces. Remove the seeds from the jalapeño for a milder salsa. Combine the pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro and olive oil in a bowl, then season with salt and squeeze in the juice from the grilled limes. Mix together, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed, then set aside.
5. Remove the fish from the bag, then wipe off most of the marinade, leaving a light coating behind. Be sure to clean the grill after grilling the fruits and vegetables and rub it down generously with oil. Drizzle the fish with a bit more oil and gently rub to distribute. Place the fish on the hot grill and let cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. The fish will be ready to flip when it starts to turn opaque around the edges and lifts easily from the grates.
6. Carefully transfer the fillets to a serving platter and top with the grilled pineapple salsa. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.

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Notes

• *Scotch bonnet and habanero peppers are incredibly spicy, so handle with caution. It is advised to wear protective gloves when removing the seeds, and avoid rubbing your eyes after touching.
• **This recipe can be prepared on any grill or grill top, however charcoal will give the best flavor.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4