Grilled Snoek with Apricot Glaze
In short: Whole butterflied fish brushed with a sweet-tart apricot, lemon and garlic glaze and grilled over medium coals until the skin crackles. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 405 kcal
Snoek is the Cape's favorite fish, a long, firm and oily fish that is braaied whole on beaches, at harbors and in backyards. The fish is split open, brushed with a sweet-tart apricot jam glaze and cooked over medium coals until the skin crackles and the flesh turns tender and smoky. Fresh snoek is rarely available outside South Africa, so this version works equally well with large mackerel. Serve it with bread, potatoes and plenty of lemon.
Instructions
- Warm the jam, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, chili flakes and salt in a small saucepan over low heat for 3 minutes, until the jam melts. Cool slightly.
- Pat the fish dry. Season the flesh with the salt and pepper and score it lightly in a crosshatch pattern.
- Prepare a grill for medium heat and oil the grid well, or use a hinged fish grid.
- Lay the fish skin-side down and cook for 10 to 12 minutes without turning, until the skin begins to crisp and the flesh starts to turn opaque.
- Brush the flesh generously with the glaze. Flip the fish, or the whole grid, and cook flesh-side down for 3 to 4 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
- Turn it back, brush again and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more, until the flesh flakes easily and reaches 63°C (145°F). Rest for 5 minutes, then serve with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Snoek is hard to find outside the Cape. Mackerel, Spanish mackerel or any firm, oily whole fish makes a good substitute.
- A hinged fish grid makes turning easy and saves the skin. Any neutral oil can replace the olive oil in the glaze if you prefer.
Questions and answers
What does snoek taste like?
It is rich, oily and slightly smoky, with firm, flaky flesh. It is similar to mackerel but a little firmer.
Can I cook snoek in the oven?
Yes. Roast it skin-side down on a tray at 220°C (425°F) for 15 to 20 minutes, brushing with glaze twice. Finish under the broiler for a minute to caramelize it.
What do you serve with grilled snoek?
Bread, roasted or boiled potatoes, grilled sweetcorn and a tomato and onion salad are traditional. Apricot jam and fresh bread are the classic accompaniments.
How long does it take to make Grilled Snoek with Apricot Glaze?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Grilled Snoek with Apricot Glaze?
About 405 kcal per serving, with 37 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 405 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 37 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
