Three Guys From Miami Recipe: Cuban Main Dish: Pargo Entero Frito Con Salsa de Mango

Pargo Entero Frito

(Whole Fried Snapper with Mango Salsa)

Jorge Castillo: Pargo is the Spanish word for snapper.

Glenn Lindgren: Red snapper is the most popular snapper in U.S. fish markets. You'll find this delicious fish all over the place.

Jorge Castillo: There are also other types of snapper that many remember eating in Cuba - the Blue snapper in particular.

Raúl Musibay: The Mangrove snapper is also abundant in Florida waters and very tasty! We love to deep fat fry whole snappers the day after a successful fishing trip.

Glenn Lindgren: Deep fat frying produces a very tender and juicy fish with a nice crispy crust.

Jorge Castillo: We give this dish a true island flavor with a delicious mango salsa. Be careful not to overcook your fish -- they should be tender and flaky.

FISH Several whole Red, Blue, or Mangrove Snappers, gutted and cleaned but with heads on Juice of 1 lime Garlic powder Cumin Salt and pepper

SALSA 1/2 to 3/4 cups cilantro, chopped (adjust to taste) 1/8 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste!) 1/2 cup finely chopped green onion 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper (blanched for one minute in boiling water) 1 cup fresh mango, mashed Juice of 1 lime Pinch of red pepper flakes Fresh mango cubes

We usually cook this fish outside in a propane-fired deep fryer. It may also be prepared in an electric deep fryer or in a large frying pan on the stove top. You need enough oil to completely immerse the whole fish in the oil.

Take your completely cleaned and gutted fish and with a sharp knife, make one or two deep diagonal slashes (depending on the size of the fish) in one side of the fish. Lightly sprinkle both sides of each fish with the lime juice. Season both sides lightly with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cumin. Let fish rest for 20 minutes in refrigerator.

Lightly dust each side of the fish with white flour.

Heat the oil to the proper temperature for deep fat frying -- about 350º F. Cook the fish, a couple at a time, until cooked through. The fish cooks fast! Approximately three to five minutes, depending on the size of the fish.

Meanwhile, mix cilantro, green onion, green pepper, mashed mango and lime juice in a small bowl. Add a little salt at a time and taste! Adjust the amount of salt to taste. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little bite. Add some cubed mango pieces for a nice presentation.

Ingredients

Recipe and editorial content from the book: "Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban"