Not only are there seasons for fruits and vegetables but fish and shellfish have seasons also. It is good to know that you can buy locally caught seafood that is in season near where you live or close to it. My local market is located right on the Gulf and the boats come in every day with fresh, seasonal fish. It is a pleasure to shop in such a fine market.

Here is a chart to help you buy in season fish locally.

In my area, the Gulf waters warm up in April. Along with the warm water, a host of fish appear with the temperature increase, such as Cobia, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, Scallops, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, Amberjack and Hard-Shell Crabs. Here are a few of our favorite fish dinners.

Redfish Meuniere

Spinach Pesto is delicious with this fish.

2 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 fresh redfish fillets (or any white fish fillets), ounces each
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Directions

Combine the flour, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a large shallow plate.

Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels.

Heat the butter in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat until melted.

Dredge the fish fillets in the seasoned flour on both sides and place them in the hot butter.

Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 2 minutes.

Turn carefully with a metal spatula and cook for 2 minutes on the other side.

While the second side cooks, sprinkle the fish with the lemon juice and chopped parsley.

Carefully put the fish fillets on warm plates.

Serve the fish topped with Spinach Pesto, recipe below.

Spinach Pesto

Ingredients

2 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/3 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse.

With the machine running, gradually add the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy.

Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper to taste. This sauce freezes well.

Scallops Florentine

2 servings

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
8 ounces fresh baby spinach
6 large sea scallops
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning
1/4 cup heavy cream or half & half
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or thyme leaves

Directions

In medium skillet, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat.

Season the scallops with the Italian seasoning.

Sauté the scallops 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and keep warm by covering with a piece of foil.

Heat the remaining teaspoon of olive oil in the skillet and add the garlic

When the garlic has softened, add the spinach.

Sauté the spinach until wilted.

Add the grated Parmesan, cream, salt and pepper, mix and heat until the cheese and cream are hot.

Divide the spinach mixture between two serving dishes and top each plate with 3 scallops.

Garnish the scallops with the chopped herbs.

Tuna Kabobs

I like to serve the kabobs over linguine dressed with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes and chopped basil.

4 servings

Ingredients

4 metal, bamboo or wooden skewers
1 lb fresh tuna fillet (1 inch thick)—cut into 16 even-sized cubes
1 small zucchini—cut into diagonal slices
Onion slices—cut into 16 even-sized squares
2 bell peppers—cut into 16 even-sized squares
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice (plus lemon wedges for serving)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
2 cloves garlic—grated
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions

Place the tuna cubes, zucchini, onion and bell pepper in a glass baking dish.

Mix together the remaining ingredients in a small measuring cup until well combined.

Pour over the tuna and vegetables in the baking dish.

Marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for 1 hour, turning the mixture halfway through marinating.

Divide the mixture evenly among 4 skewers and reserve the marinade.

Cook the skewers on a hot grill for about 10 minutes until cooked through, turning and brushing regularly with the marinade.

Serve the skewers with lemon wedges.


Posted by in Fish, Grilling, Healthy Italian Cooking, Italian Cuisine, onion, Pasta, peppers, redfish, Sauces, scallops, spinach, spinach pesto, tuna, Vegetables, zucchini Tags: