How to Make Jamaican Escovitch Sliced Fish (King Fish)
Jamaican Escovitch Sliced Fish is a favorite of many. Traditionally, snapper fish is used but we decided to use king fish which is sliced fish that’s floured and fried until crispy then covered in pickled vegetables.
Jump to RecipePrint RecipeJump to VideoWhat is escovitch fish made of?
Escovitch fish is a popular dish in Jamaica. This recipe is made with seasoned kingfish that is fried and then topped with a mixture composed of onions and bell peppers, scotch bonnet pepper, and vinegar.
What is even an escovitch sauce?
Escovitch is made up of vinegar, water, pickled onions, carrots, scotch bonnet peppers, pimento, sweet pepper, orange juice, black pepper, complete seasoning, and a pinch of salt.
Which country does escovitch fish come from?
The Spanish Jews, the first European arrivals to the island, contributed dishes such as the vinegary escovitch fish (Spanish escabeche) contributed. Escovitch Fish is traditionally a Jamaican dish that is enjoyed all over the island. The style of cooking originated in Europe/Mediterranean where it is known as Escabeche and was brought to Jamaica by the Spaniards.
Escovitch Fish Ingredients
Sliced King Fish: You can use any other firm white fish like snapper.
Flour: To coat the fish to fry.
Dry Seasonings: To season the fish and flour. (Black pepper, complete seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, paprika, adobo)
Garlic: To flavor the oil when frying
Onions & bell peppers: You’ll need both sweet bell peppers and onions for this recipe. Use a combination of all the colored peppers.
Carrots: Escovitch wouldn’t be the same without carrots because they bring a natural sweetness to the dish.
Scotch bonnet peppers: These peppers are essential for Jamaican escovitch to give it its characteristic heat. If you can’t find them, you can use habanero peppers or jalapeño peppers. If you aren’t a fan of spice you can exclude the peppers or remove the seeds.
Vinegar: White vinegar is widely used but you can use any light-colored vinegar, apple cider vinegar, cane vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
Orange Juice: Gives the pickle a nice tart citric flavor
Pimiento Berries: Also known as whole allspice berries are a key ingredient in escovitch sauce and flavor oil.
Thyme: This fragrant herb is essential in Jamaican cuisine. You can use fresh or dried thyme for this recipe.
How To Make Escovitch Fish
How To Prepare Fried Fish
- Wash fish in water, vinegar, and lime rinse then pat fish filets dry.
- Generously season both sides of fish.
- Heat oil in a heavy bottom skillet. Season flour.
- Once hot, dust the fish in seasoned flour and add to the skillet. Fry for 6 minutes on each side.
Escovitch Fish Sauce (CLICK FOR FULL RECIPE)
- In a separate skillet over medium-high heat, add all the vinegar and carrots and boil for 2-3 minutes.
- Add in all the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until vegetables become tender. Remove from heat and let the sauce marinate for 5 additional minutes.
- Pour sauce over the fish and serve warm. Alternatively, you can and should let the fish soak in the sauce overnight. Then reheat and serve the next day.
Tips and Notes
- Marinate the fish in the dry seasonings overnight in the fridge if you have time. It gives the dish even more flavor.
- You can make escovitch fish in 45 minutes and serve immediately but for the best results aka a life-changing bite, allow the fish to sit in the escovitch sauce overnight to soak up all the flavors.
- If using whole fish, fry for a few minutes longer to cook through.
- The scotch bonnet pepper in this recipe makes the dish slightly spicy. If you aren’t a fan of spice, leave the scotch bonnet pepper out. If you can’t find scotch bonnet pepper, a habanero pepper makes a great substitute.
- Use gloves when working with scotch bonnet peppers and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after working with them.
- To enhance the flavor you can add some scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, garlic, and pimento to the frying oil to start to infuse flavor while the fish fries.
- Remove the seeds from the pepper to reduce the heat or exclude the peppers altogether.
Jamaican Escovitch Fish FAQ’S
How Do You Store Escovitch Fish Leftovers?
Put the escovitch fish in a shallow container and put a tight lid on it before placing it in the refrigerator. This will keep the dish fresh for up to five days.
What do you eat Escovitch fish with?
Whatever you like! I usually eat escovitch fish with fried dumplings or Jamaican festival, rice and peas, plantain and so much more.
Can this be made ahead?
Yes! You can make the vinegar sauce up to a few days in advance. The fish can be cooked and stored up to 3-4 days in advance.
What’s The Best Type Of Fish To Use In Escovitch Fish?
Personally prefer escovitch snapper for this recipe but for this recipe we used kingfish, but more commonly used fish include mullet and even porgy. If you like your filets boneless, go with boneless snapper. The process does not change, no matter which fish you use.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 KJV
Wisdom
Our God is merciful. He loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross so we could be forgiven for all the sins we have committed. Once we repent of our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us. But those out there who refuse to repent, who believe they have no sin. Who believe that everything they do is right all the time, will be punished.
They will not prosper unto eternal life. We all fall short of the glory of God. All of us have done wrong in our life. We curse people, we hate people, we fight people, and we mock and gossip about people. Some kill people, some steal from people, and others treat people poorly. Some lie to people, some deceive people and so many things we all do to each other that are not right. We all will be judged for our actions and only those who confess and forsake their sins will have mercy, those who do will not prosper. Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Fish Recipe
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How to make Jamaican Ecovitch Fish (King Fish)
Ingredients
How to Season Fish
- 3 Ibs Sliced King Fish
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp complete seasoning
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp adobo
Ingredients for flour
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp complete seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp adobo
Ingredients for oil
- 1/2 cup of oil
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 stem of Thyme
- 5 pimento berries
Instructions
- How To Prepare Fried Fish
- * Wash fish in water, vinegar, and lime rinse then pat fish filets dry.
- * Generously season both sides of fish.
- * Heat oil in a heavy bottom skillet.
- * Season the flour.
- * Once hot, dust the fish in seasoned flour and add to the skillet.
- * Fry for 6 minutes on each side and place it on paper towel (to drain excess oil)
- * Make Escovitch pickle sauce
- * Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy
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