10 fish recipes for Holy Week

During Holy Week, there is no doubt that fish becomes the king of the kitchens. This is mainly due to the Christian tradition of abstaining from consuming red meat during the Holy Week (Semana Mayor).

This ingredient is the ideal substitute as it is a white meat. Although there are other alternatives such as chicken or rabbit, custom dictates that seafood be the main protagonists. Therefore, many will ask themselves: What fish recipes for Holy Week can I prepare to share with family or friends?

(Read also: The best sweet recipes to make during Holy Week in Colombia)

To answer that concern, we have prepared this list with 10 Lenten recipes based on fish and seafood, perfect options for the occasion.

Before starting, it is worth clarifying that some species mentioned are specific to certain regions of Colombia. If they are not within your reach, you can replace them with similar varieties available in your area; this will not be an impediment to enjoying these delicious, easy, and economical fish recipes for Holy Week.

Contents

• Bocachico en cabrito (Bocachico fish stuffed and roasted in leaves)
• Aborrajados de pescado (Battered and fried fish)
• Lebranche (lisa) sudado con coco (Mullet stewed with coconut)
• Arroz con camarones secos (Rice with dried shrimp)
• Palometa Frita (Fried pomfret)
• Bolitas de pirarucú (Pirarucu fish balls)
• Cachama Sudada (Stewed cachama fish)
• Torta o molde de bagre seco (Dried catfish pie or casserole)
• Arroz con chipi-chipi (Rice with coquina clams)
• Ensalada de langosta (Lobster salad)

Bocachico en cabrito (Bocachico fish stuffed and roasted in leaves)

This species is very popular in the country, especially on the Atlantic Coast. In this dish, it is used as a base, stuffing it with various vegetables to then roast it wrapped in hojas de bijao (bijao leaves, similar to banana leaves used for wrapping food).

Aborrajados de pescado (Battered and fried fish)

This is another delicious and perfect alternative for the holy days. They are made with fish, wheat flour, salt, and eggs. The ideal accompaniment for this dish are some crispy patacones or tostones (flattened and fried green plantain discs).

Lebranche (lisa) sudado con coco (Mullet stewed with coconut)

Coconut and seafood transport the palate directly to the Caribbean. In this preparation, both ingredients come together to provide a great flavor experience, complemented with garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Arroz con camarones secos (Rice with dried shrimp)

Crustaceans also gain relevance in this celebration. We bring you a simple and exquisite rice, for which you will need shrimp, garlic, bulb onion, scallions (cebolla larga), chili pepper (ají), pepper, cumin, achiote (annatto powder), salt, and oil; ingredients very easy to find.

Palometa Frita (Fried pomfret)

Its preparation is quite fast and simple. You will only need palometas (or castañetas), oil for frying, salt, and pepper. In a few minutes, you will have an excellent dish ready.

Bolitas de pirarucú (Pirarucu fish balls)

Very representative of the Amazon, this recipe consists of meatballs made with this ground fish, mixed with eggs, scallions, bell pepper, and wheat flour.

Cachama Sudada (Stewed cachama fish)

This fish is widely consumed in the Amazon and Orinoquía regions, lending itself to fried, stuffed, or roasted preparations. For this comforting stewed version, the main ingredients are: cachama (or gamitana), cassava (yuca), plantain, garlic, scallions, cumin, and salt.

Torta o molde de bagre seco (Dried catfish pie or casserole)

To carry out this dish, eggs, butter, breadcrumbs, bulb onion, mustard, black sauce (salsa negra – similar to Worcestershire sauce), tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and, of course, the dried catfish (bagre seco) are required. Although the drying process requires time, the delicious result is totally worth it.

Arroz con chipi-chipi (Rice with coquina clams)

A classic of the Colombian Caribbean starring these small mollusks, very common on the beaches of the region. Its preparation requires few elements: chipi-chipi (small clams), rice, hogao (traditional tomato and onion sauce), water, salt, and pepper.

Ensalada de langosta (Lobster salad)

To provide variety, we include a fresh and light option. Its preparation is very simple and only requires lobster meat, lemon juice, ripe tomatoes, bulb onion, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Other popular seafood and fish recipes for Holy Week

• Muelas de cangrejo al ajillo (Garlic crab claws) (see recipe)
• Crab Backs o cangrejos rellenos (Stuffed crabs) (see recipe)
• Salpicón de pescado (Shredded fish hash) (see recipe)
• Mojarras fritas (Fried mojarras) (see recipe)
• Pescado guisado (Stewed fish) (see recipe)
• Rungo de cabeza de bagre (Catfish head soup with cornmeal) (see recipe)
• Bagre frito (Fried catfish) (see recipe)
• Pescado Moquiado o Moqueado (Smoked fish wrapped in leaves) (see recipe)
• Palometa al Horno (Baked pomfret) (see recipe)
• Gamitana asada (Roasted cachama fish) (see recipe)

We hope that with this collection of fish recipes for Holy Week you have excellent ideas to surprise everyone at home during this holiday.