Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsWawa Caribbean RestaurantEscovitch Fish Recipe

Escovitch Fish Recipe

Time45m
Serves4

Fried fish topped with a spicy vinegar-based sauce.

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Ingredients

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Fish

Method

Preparing the Fish

  1. 1

    Clean and Season the Fish

    Rinse the whole fish under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Make 3-4 diagonal cuts on each side of the fish to allow seasoning to penetrate. Rub salt and black pepper all over the fish, including inside the cuts.

  2. 2

    Dredge in Flour

    Spread the all-purpose flour on a plate and coat each fish in the flour, shaking off any excess. This will create a crispy exterior when fried.

Frying the Fish

  1. 3

    Heat the Oil

    In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.

  2. 4

    Fry the Fish

    Carefully place the coated fish in the hot oil. Fry for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fish and drain on paper towels.

Making the Escovitch Sauce

  1. 5

    Prepare Vegetables

    In a saucepan, combine the sliced onion, carrot, and bell pepper, and scotch bonnet pepper.

  2. 6

    Combine Other Sauce Ingredients

    Add the vinegar, water, sugar, black peppercorns, thyme, and salt to the saucepan with the vegetables.

  3. 7

    Cook the Sauce

    Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.

Assembling the Dish

  1. 8

    Top the Fried Fish

    Place the fried fish on a serving platter and pour the hot escovitch sauce over the fish, ensuring it is well-covered with the vegetables and sauce.

  2. 9

    Serve

    Allow the fish to marinate in the sauce for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy with rice or festival (a fried dumpling) on the side.

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