Acknowledgements

This recipe book is a labor of love and the product of the tremendous degree of awareness of several people, recognizing that lionfish pose a threat to marine ecosystems. Their response has been to turn this invasive fish into gastronomic delights for our enjoyment.

To each and every one of you, thank you for the kind way in which, at the request of “Can I have your recipe?”, you answered positively and promptly. These people are:

1. Chef Cedric Taquin – recreational fisher, owner and chef of the Restaurant MenTa in Hatillo.

2. Rafael Muller – recreational fisher and iguana hunter with the Iguana Hunters group.

3. Robert Long – commercial fisher of Cabo Rojo.

4. Willie Vargas García – commercial fisher of Guánica and a cook for the love of cooking.

5. Víctor “Pucho” Oliver Blas – teacher, artist (painter), photographer and recreational fisher.

6. María de L. Plaza Delestre – assistant professor in the Food Science and Technology Program at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.

7. Alana Jannette Toro Ramos – biologist, practices ecological agriculture, cooks with agroecological and chemical-free products.

8. Wilmer Montalvo y Michelle Meléndez Sánchez – chefs and owners of Kalamata Hostelería from Cabo Rojo.

9. Gilberto Valentín – professor of culinary arts at Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico (UNITEC).

10. Chef Giovanna Huyke – Puerto Rican chef and television personality.

11. Chef Jennifer Daubon – chef from Culebra.

12. Jennifer Ávila – lover of the sea and cooking.

13. Chef René Ñeco – instructor at José A. Santana International School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts.

Credits

© 2023

Compilation and conceptualization by: Jannette Ramos García

Editing by: Cristina D. Olán Martínez and Stephanie Díaz Pérez

Graphic design, cover design, illustration, and layout by: Daniel Irizarri Oquendo

Photos by: Jannette Ramos García, Oliver Bencosme Palmer, Cedric Taquin, Rafael Muller, Víctor “Pucho” Oliver Blas, Jennifer Ávila, María Plaza, Wilmer Montalvo y Michelle Meléndez Sánchez.

English translation by: Stephanie Díaz Pérez

Collaborators from the University of Puerto Rico Sea Grant Program

Director: Ruperto Chaparro Serrano

Outreach Director: René F. Esteves Amador

Communications Coordinator: Stephanie Díaz Pérez

Education Specialist: Delmis del C. Alicea Segarra

Information Specialist: Clarisabeth K. López Rodríguez

Graphic Artist: Oliver Bencosme Palmer

Print Chief: Raúl Omar Ortiz Arroyo

Publication number UPRSG-G-324

ISBN: 978-1-951717-04-9

Introduction

The natural habitat of the colorful lionfish is in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, so for us in the Atlantic, the lionfish was practically an unknown species. We only recognized it from photos or from seeing it on film, or perhaps in an aquarium. In addition, we knew that its market value fluctuated in the hundreds of dollars and that it was highly coveted by aquarists because of its colorful fins.

However, our ignorance of the lionfish changed after the first sighting in U.S. waters. This occurred in 1985 at Dania Beach, Florida, when a crab fisher named Richard Nielsen caught one. Ten years after Richard Nielsen caught the first one, a group of divers observed a school of lionfish off the state’s coast. Lionfish are now established along the southeastern coast of the United States, in the Caribbean Sea and in much of the Gulf of Mexico and are predicted to reach South American waters in the next few years.

In Puerto Rico, lionfish were detected in the waters south of Vieques during 2008. It wasn’t long before other specimens of this species were identified around the main island. From then on, sightings became increasingly frequent along the length and width of our coasts.

It was then that panic set in. An aggressive campaign communicating the danger of its spines led people to fear the lionfish. “It’s the most poisonous fish there is! If you see it, don’t touch it!” was heard among many people. Fear among the public became apparent and it was even said that its venom was lethal. However, after the frenzy had passed, the correct information began to flow. We learned that it is a fish that can affect the abundance of fish in the areas they have invaded because they are very voracious. It eats the juveniles of parrotfish, mutton snappers and groupers, among other fish. In addition, it feeds on juvenile invertebrates such as lobsters and crabs. We also learned that the venom is only in three groups of spines on its body: dorsal, anal, and pelvic. Once they are cut off, it is harmless. In addition, lionfish have no biological controls in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Caribbean Sea; that is, they have no predators in this part of the world and worse, a pair and its offspring can produce billions of eggs in a year. Their rapid and numerous reproduction has turned them into a plague impossible to eradicate... but not to contain.

Due to the aforementioned reasons, the lionfish is here to stay in our waters. It is an unwanted and potentially harmful inhabitant of marine ecosystems. However, we have a very simple way to combat its proliferation and that is to eat it. For that reason, the Sea Grant Program, through its Eat Lionfish! campaign, has compiled a group of recipes with the help of fishers, chefs and community members who enjoy cooking as well as eating fresh seafood. To them, thank you for your time and for kindly sharing the recipes with the public.

Lionfish meat is soft, white, and rich in Omega 3. It also has a delicate flavor and is easy to prepare in a variety of recipes. A 7- to 8-inch lionfish produces enough meat to satisfy any foodie. You should not be discouraged if you cannot compare it to the size of perhaps a snapper or a grouper. There are plenty of options for preparing lionfish of any size.

The recipes below are simple and made with readily available ingredients. We hope to awaken your interest in tasting the delicious lionfish and your desire to continue eating it and ordering it from your preferred fish market or your favorite fisher.

Eat lionfish!

For more information about the lionfish, go to: http://lionfish.gcfi.org/manual/