Fish Salad Cooked in Lime Juice
Editor's Note: This recipe and introductory text are excerpted from The Exotic Kitchens of Peru, by Copeland Marks. We've also added some tips of our own below.
For a complete guide to Peruvian cuisine, click here.
The English title of this recipe is not an altogether accurate description of ceviche since it is the lime (or lemon juice) that "cooks" the fish.
Peruvians are justifiably proud of their internationally famous method of serving fish tidbits. A mixed assortment can include squid, octopus, scallops, clams, langostas, as well as pata de mula, a shellfish similar to scallops. Then there are the black scallops of Peru, a rarity. All can be used in a classic ceviche, insuring a variety of textures and flavors.
• Known in Peru as cebiche, this dish is a national favorite, making use of the country's incredible variety of superfresh fish and shellfish. Seviche dates back to the Incas, who seasoned their fish with sea salt and aji (chile peppers) and cured it in the acidic juice of tumbo, a tart tropical fruit. The Spanish later introduced citrus fruits, and lime juice became the acid of choice. To approximate the taste of pre-Hispanic ceviche, reduce the lime juice in this recipe to 1/2 cup and add 1/2 cup passion fruit pulp, scraped from halved, fresh ripe passion fruits with soft, crinkly skins. • Look for fresh aji amarillo chile peppers in stores that carry Peruvian ingredients. If you can't find them, use aji amarillo paste, available online at www.perucooking.com.
