This Middle Eastern-inspired recipe can be made with any white fish but works well with lingcod, yelloweye, or rockfish. The salty, zesty preserved lemons make a delicious dressing that contrasts against the harissa spice. Preserved lemons and harissa are becoming readily available in good grocery stores and are also available online. Pro tip: With preserved lemons, you should always discard the overly salty flesh and only use the peel.
Ingredients
1 portion lingcod, (8 to 10 ounces) cut into 2 pieces Available in Our Seafood Subscription Box
Kosher salt
1 to 2 tablespoons harissa paste, depending on heat preference
2 small green and/or yellow summer squash (7-ounces each)
1 whole preserved lemon, rinsed
¼ cup finely diced shallot
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons honey
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Freshly ground pepper
1 pint on-the-vine cherry tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Sliced avocado, cooked red quinoa, and baby spinach for serving
Directions
Marinate the Fish
Pat the fish dry, season with salt, and rub evenly with 1 to 2 tablespoons harissa. Transfer to a foil-lined 9-inch by 13-inch baking sheet. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes.
Prep the Squash
Preheat the oven to 400°F with a rack in the center position.
Meanwhile, trim the ends of the summer squash. Using a vegetable peeler, shave lengthwise into long ribbons and discard the seedy core. Roll into coils for serving, if desired. Transfer to a plate.
Make the Dressing
Cut the preserved lemon into quarters, scrape out the pulpy flesh, and discard. Finely dice the peel and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the shallot, lemon juice, and honey. Whisk in ¼ cup olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon half of the dressing into a small bowl and reserve for serving.
Cook the Fish and Tomatoes
Add the tomatoes (still on the vine) to the baking sheet around fish, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes are just beginning to burst but still whole and the fish is opaque and flakes easily around the edges.
Finish and Serve
Add the chickpeas to the dressing in the medium bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Divide squash ribbons, chickpeas, avocado, quinoa, and spinach between 2 bowls. Top with the fish and tomatoes (still on the vine), sprinkle with lemon zest, and serve the remaining dressing alongside.
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Pro Tips
Pair it Up
Hooray for rosé, which tastes great with all those summer vegetables. Rosé is also always a great choice with salmon.
Level It Up
Add a few tablespoons of chopped fresh mint and parsley for a bright herbal punch.
Change It Up
Combine leftover squash, tomatoes (minus the vines), chickpeas, and quinoa with a bit of chicken stock for a Moroccan-inspired soup called harira. Fold in leftover fish at the end just to warm through and serve leftover avocado on the side.
Lighten It Up
With whole grains and protein-packed fish and legumes, this dish is nutrition in a bowl. Don’t change a thing, unless you want a double avocado whammy, in which case, sub avocado oil for the olive oil.
