Crispy Tilapia Wrapped in Tacos Shells
Going Green with Your Tilapia Tacos:
Craving some delicious tacos, but want to do your part for the environment? Let's explore sustainable tilapia sources for that perfect seafood taco feast!
Ingredients (10)- 2 cups medium-dice fresh pineapple- 2 medium jalapenños (seeds removed if you prefer a milder salsa), minced- 1/2 medium lime- Kosher salt- 1 pound fresh tilapia (about 5 fillets)- Freshly ground black pepper- 1/2 cup flour- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted- 8 corn tortillas
Yield: 8 tacosDifficulty: EasyTotal: 30 mins
Instructions
- Mix the pineapple and jalapenos in a medium bowl. Squeeze the lime half over top. Season with salt and set aside.
- Season both sides of the tilapia fillets with salt and pepper.
- Dredge in the flour so all surfaces are lightly and evenly coated.
- Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil. When the skillet is very hot, add half of the floured fish pieces. Sear for 4 minutes on the first side.
- Flip, brush with half of the melted butter, and cook for 4 more minutes, until done. Repeat with the remaining fillets.
- Heat up your tortillas (we do it directly over a gas flame till they're puffed and a little blistered), distribute the fillets among the tortillas, top each taco with pineapple salsa, and serve.
Photos, styling, and animated GIF by Chris Rochelle
Sustainable Tilapia Sources
Fret not, seafood lovers! The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch has got your back! Here are some countries known for their sustainable tilapia farming:
- Ecuador: A Celebrity Chef favorite for its sustainable farming practices.
- Peru: Shining bright as an eco-friendly spot for tilapia farming.
- Honduras, Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico, and Taiwan: Considered better options compared to some other regions.
On the flip side, it's best to steer clear of tilapia from China due to large-scale industrial farming methods that can lead to environmental degradation and health risks. When shopping for tilapia, checking the origin goes a long way in supporting sustainable aquaculture. If the origin isn't specified, opt for another seafood choice to avoid these sustainability pitfalls.
With these sustainable tilapia sources under your belt, kick up your taco game by adding Mexican favorites like lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and cilantro!
[2]: https://fsis-www.azureedge.net/cgdocs/ produced/Produce/Outreach/Tilapia-Production-and-Marketing-Practices-in-the-USA_Hong-Kong-2016.pdf
- For a nutritionally balanced and environmentally conscious meal, consider using sustainable tilapia sourced from countries like Ecuador or Peru in your recipes.
- When looking for tilapia, choose those from better options such as Honduras, Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico, and Taiwan to support sustainable aquaculture.
- On the contrary, avoid tilapia from China due to potentially harmful industrial farming methods, as outlined by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch.
- Enhance the brightness and flavor of your sustainable tilapia tacos by adding ingredients like lime juice, cumin, chili powder, cilantro, and a tablespoon of unsalted butter for extra richness.