Ceviche de Corvina (Panamanian Sea Bass Ceviche)
In short: Cubed corvina cured in lime juice with red onion, celery, culantro and a little ají chombo, served ice cold in cups with crackers. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 115 kcal
Ceviche de corvina is a Panamanian favorite, made from corvina, a firm white sea bass, cut small and cured briefly in lime juice. Red onion, celery and culantro add crunch and fragrance, and a little minced ají chombo, a fiery relative of Scotch bonnet, adds heat. It is served ice cold in cups with crackers or plantain chips at parties and casual lunches.
Instructions
- Use fish bought the same day, and keep it on ice until you start. Put the cubes in a glass or stainless steel bowl with the salt.
- Pour over the lime juice so the fish is just covered. Stir once, cover and chill for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway.
- The fish is ready when the cubes are opaque on the outside and still slightly translucent in the center.
- Meanwhile, soak the diced onion in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain well. This softens its bite.
- Drain off about half the lime juice and save it. Fold in the onion, celery, culantro and ají chombo.
- Taste, then add salt, more lime juice or more ají as needed. Chill for 5 more minutes.
- Spoon into chilled cups with some of the juice and serve right away with crackers or plantain chips.
Tips
- Lime juice does not cook fish the way heat does. Buy very fresh fish from a trusted seller, and skip raw ceviche for pregnant guests, small children and anyone with a weakened immune system.
- No corvina? Use sea bass, snapper or halibut. Avoid oily fish such as mackerel, which turns strong and soft in lime juice.
Questions and answers
How long does ceviche need to marinate?
Twenty to 30 minutes is enough for 1 cm cubes. Left longer, the fish turns firm and chalky, so serve it soon after it is ready.
Can I make corvina ceviche ahead of time?
Cut the fish and vegetables ahead and keep them separate in the fridge. Combine with the lime juice about 30 minutes before serving and eat it the same day.
What do you serve with Panamanian ceviche?
Saltine crackers are the classic partner, and plantain chips or patacones (twice-fried green plantain) also work well. Serve it with an ice-cold drink.
How long does it take to make Ceviche de Corvina (Panamanian Sea Bass Ceviche)?
About 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ceviche de Corvina (Panamanian Sea Bass Ceviche)?
About 115 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 115 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
