The notorious Lionfish is one of those invasive species you just can't seem to eat enough of! Lionfish hunting in the Florida Keys is one of my favorite hobbies - and it doesn't get much better than a genuine Lionfish catch, clean, cook with a few close friends.
There is no shortage of this scourge of the sea in the Florida Keys, and for over 19 years now, i've been spearing and preparing these fearless fish for the dinner table. Truth be told, you can prepare Lionfish in just about any way imaginable - whether you prefer it traditionally cooked, or something a bit more exotic - the light, delicate, and sweet white meat they yield is nothing short of a delicacy. No matter which Lionfish recipe you prefer, you are almost guaranteed an inspiring meal.
In this episode, a few friends and I head out to the reefs just off Islamorada for an afternoon of Lionfish hunting, in order to cull a few of these invasive monsters for an unconventional Lionfish "catch, clean, cook" - featuring one of my all time favorite preparations...spoons!
You read that right - over the past few years, the popularity of "sushi spoons" has become all the rage here in the Florida Keys. And there are few species of fish more suited for this perfectly pacific-style preparation than the Lionfish. By dicing lionfish meat into tiny pieces and marinating them in sesame oil, ponzu, chili oil - topped with a smattering of furikake - you're certainly in for a treat.
This is not your average Lionfish catch, clean and cook video - I prefer lionfish raw in order to taste the full essence of the meat. With a bit of diligent preparation and the right combination of ingredients, Lionfish can be one of the most delightful delicacies you've ever tasted.
Consuming lionfish as often as possible contributes directly to the conservation of the coral reefs. The Lionfish is one of the most prolific invasive species in South Florida waters, and with no natural predators - its population continues to thrive. While there's simply no way to completely eliminate them, or stop them from proliferating - you can cut down on their population by eating them whenever you have the chance!
Have a favorite lionfish recipe? Is there a lionfish recipe you adore so much you couldn't even consider eating them any other way? Please let me know and i'll give it a try!