Satini Reken (Seychellois Fish Chutney)
Local name: Satini reken
In short: Boiled fish flaked and tossed with sour lime juice, sizzled onion, garlic, ginger and chili into a tangy chutney to eat with rice and curry. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 170 kcal
Satini reken is the shark chutney of Seychelles, a tart, savory side dish eaten with rice, curry and lentils. Boiled shark is mashed with the juice of bilimbi, a sour fruit, and lime, then folded into onions fried with garlic, ginger and spices. Because shark can be hard to source and is often overfished, many cooks now use any firm white fish. The method and flavor stay the same.
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water with 1 tsp salt to a simmer. Add the fish and cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes until it flakes easily and reaches 63°C (145°F).
- Lift the fish out, drain and remove any skin and bones. Flake it into a bowl and mash with a fork, then stir in the lime juice.
- Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Cook the onions for 10 minutes until soft and just starting to turn golden.
- Add the garlic, ginger, chili, turmeric and pepper and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Fold in the mashed fish and the remaining salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring, until the mixture is dry and well blended.
- Taste and add more lime or salt. Serve warm or at room temperature with rice and curry.
Tips
- Fresh bilimbi (bilenbi) are very sour and give the dish its authentic flavor. If you cannot find them, extra lime juice with a little tamarind works.
- Do not use delicate fish that falls apart, such as sole. Firm, meaty fish gives the right dry, flaky texture.
Questions and answers
Do I have to use shark?
No. Shark is traditional, but any firm white fish works, and many cooks choose a more abundant species.
How is satini reken eaten?
As a tangy side with rice, lentils and curry. It is also good on bread or with boiled cassava.
How long does it keep?
Up to 3 days in a covered container in the fridge. Serve it at room temperature.
How long does it take to make Satini Reken (Seychellois Fish Chutney)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Satini Reken (Seychellois Fish Chutney)?
About 170 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 170 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
