Grilled Tilapia in Leaf Parcels (Solomon Islands Style)
In short: Whole tilapia wrapped in leaves and grilled over medium heat until moist and flaky, with lime and chili at the table, Solomon Islands style. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 165 kcal
Fish is the main protein in the Solomon Islands, and one simple village method is to wrap whole freshwater tilapia in leaves and cook it over an open fire. The leaves protect the flesh from the flames and keep it moist, and the fish takes on a faint green, smoky aroma. Noni leaves are traditional, and banana leaves or foil do the same job at home. Lime and chili are added at the table.
Instructions
- Heat a grill or barbecue to medium, about 180°C (350°F). Cut 2 or 3 diagonal slashes in each side of the fish. Rub the fish with the salt inside and out and tuck some onion into each cavity.
- Soften the banana leaves by passing them briefly over a flame. Wrap each fish tightly in 2 layers of leaf and tie with string. Foil works in the same way.
- Grill the parcels for 12 to 15 minutes per side, turning once, until the flesh flakes easily at the thickest part and reaches 63°C (145°F).
- Rest for 3 minutes, then unwrap carefully and serve with lime, chili and boiled sweet potato or rice.
Tips
- Cook over medium heat, not directly over flames, so the leaves char gently instead of burning through. Check the fish at the thickest part near the head.
- Small whole fish such as trout, snapper or sea bream work well. A whole fish is more flavorful and stays moister than fillets.
Questions and answers
Can I use fillets instead of whole fish?
Yes. Wrap 4 fillets of about 180 g (6 oz) each in leaf or foil and grill for 8 to 10 minutes per side.
Where can I find noni leaves?
They are hard to find outside the Pacific. Banana leaves, sold frozen in Asian and Latin grocery stores, or foil are good substitutes.
How do I know the fish is cooked?
The flesh should look opaque and flake easily with a fork, and the thickest part should read at least 63°C (145°F).
How long does it take to make Grilled Tilapia in Leaf Parcels (Solomon Islands Style)?
About 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Grilled Tilapia in Leaf Parcels (Solomon Islands Style)?
About 165 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 165 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
