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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Whole Foods Market. I was provided with a gift card to use as well as one to give away to one reader. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
With plenty of seasoning and lots of yummy flavors piled on top, these Blackened Lionfish Tacos deserve a permanent spot on your summer dining menu.
Fish tacos. A classic dish here in Florida, seen on plenty of restaurant menus with so may different preparations. While it’s common to see Mahi Mahi as the fish used in this yummy hand held, today, I’m jumping ship from the ordinary and diving deep into the Florida waters where Lionfish are taking over.
I’ve partnered with Whole Foods Market, the first national retailer to sell this invasive fish species. Lionfish is a delicate white fish, known for its rich flavor — but also known for how quickly they have overtaken Florida’s coasts. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, “Lionfish are an invasive species that have a potential negative impact on native species and habitat. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages people to remove lionfish from Florida waters to help limit negative impacts to native marine life and ecosystems. Lionfish can be speared, caught in hand-held nets or caught on hook and lineand there is no recreational or commercial bag limit.”
In an effort to help rid our waters of Lionfish, I popped on into Whole Foods Market and chatted with the Seafood Specialist. I even got to snap a couple pictures of this striped, spiky fish before he filleted it for me to bring home to get cookin’! When I mentioned what I’d be making — Blacked Lionfish Tacos — the specialist thought it was a great idea. I also grabbed Whole Foods Market prepared pineapple mango salsa and guacamole from the produce section, baby radishes to shred for a little texture, and corn tortillas and set out to make my tacos.
You can help get rid of Lionfish too! I have a $50 Whole Foods Market gift card to give away to one lucky reader. Grab all the ingredients needed to make these Blackened Lionfish Tacos, or come up with something creative of your own! To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below telling me what you would purchase with your gift card to make your Lionfish dish. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at midnight on Friday, July 14th. The winner will be notified via e-mail and has 24 hours to respond in order to claim their prize. This giveaway has ended.
- Lionfish filet
- olive oil
- Your favorite seafood rub or mix of seasonings (I used a seafood seasoning blend)
- Corn Tortillas
- Pineapple mango salsa (store bought or homemade)
- Guacamole (store bought or homemade)
- Baby radish, julienned
- Fresh cilantro
- Rub your spice mix over both sides of the fish filets, making sure to cover as much of the surface as possible.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat and add oil once hot.
- Once the pan is hot, add the fish and cook about 4 minutes per side, until flakey and cooked through. (Side note: be careful not to flip the fish too soon or it may stick to the pan).
- Cut the cooked fish into slices, or small pieces.
- Heat a nonstick skillet on low and add your corn tortilla for 1-2 minutes or until the tortilla is warm and has begun to brown.
- To assemble the tacos, add the cooked fish to the warmed tortilla.
- Top with salsa, guacamole, and radish. Garnish with cilantro.
- Serve immediately.
Lots of organic veiges and fruits and probably their most expensive organic eggs they sell..thanks for the giveaway!!!
I’m thinking Lionfish ceviche with lots of lime, cilantro and a drizzle of avocado aoili.
I would add some Key West Pink Shrimp with my Lionfish, and a little Nappa Cabbage to go with the guac and pico de gallo. And a nice cold IPA from the beer cooler!
YUM. I’m thinking Picatta! Lionfish filets, olive oil, salt & pepper, flour, white wine, capers, lemons, butter and parsley! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to try making fish tacos with the lionfish! I’ve made regular tacos, but not fish tacos. I love the seafood department at Whole Foods, it is as close to having your fish right out of the water as can be! I used to fish in Florida waters, and when I was there, there was no problem with lionfish. I would love to try it!! I would pick a recipe with pineapple, too, my relatives in Maui catch mahi mahi and have it that way!
I don’t know why it popped into my mind to add in some beets but i thought it might add an interesting touch (yellow or red beets) of flavor & i love hard shell tacos so i’d get those as well! nice article!
I don’t know why it popped into my head to add in beets (either yellow or red) to add a touch of interesting flavor & as well I love hard shell tacos so would get some of those as well. Nice article!
I’m a horrible cook, so I would stick with YOUR recipe and ingredients and have (my husband) make it the same way! Looks delish! (Oh, I’d probably purchase some dark chocolate with almonds for dessert). I know I’m good with chocolate :). Thanks for posting and the giveaway!
What a wonderful informative article. I live in California so I’m not sure Lionfish has been shipped to us, I’ll have to check. Meanwhile in answer to your query. If I don’t have Lionfish I’ll get salmon and try the pineapple mango salsa – and doggy food and ice cream and while standing in line I’ll nab a chocolate candy bar. ahhh!
My favorite item to purchase from Whole Foods is Japanese yams. Love them!
I’d buy peppers, carrots, onions and potatoes to make steamed lionfish packets in foil.
I’d give mine a Greek flavor and top it with crumbled feta, chopped olives, tomatoes, onions and olive oil!
I’d get tomato tortillas, that delicious mango salsa and guacamole, some medium hot peppers and lime juice.
I would buy organic veggies to roast with this fish
I pick up some jalapeños and red onion pickle them with lime juice, then get some argula to add to the taco. Maybe pick up the same salsa for a kick of flavor.
I would blacken the lion fish with Cajun spices then get some organic cabbage and shred it along with some carrotts and add some mango salsa and roll it up in a warm corn tortilla.
I would purchase the Lionfish filets, the rest i have on hand already.
I would probably put lemon pepper seasoning on my grilled lionfish small white corn tortillas baked on the grill with some fresh pica gallo (fresh avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, jalapenos, salt, & pepper, lime all mixed), some hot red salsa and green salsa (green tomatoes).
I love the freshness or your dish! My lionfish would be grilled with spicy seasonings and served over a bed of rice with a side of asparagus. I’d also by some cake from Whole Foods to finish off the meal!
I would probably use flatbread in place of the corn tortillas, and I would add some 365 tortilla chips to add some crunch.
I would make fish and chips using Otto’s Natural Cassava Flour (one of my favorites)! Combine the flour with a little La Croix or other citrus flavored sparkling water to create the batter. Add some sweet potato fries and you have a nice summer, but paleo friendly treat!