Conch Salad
Step into the enchantingworld of tropical flavors and vibrant colors with Conch Salad—a belovedculinary delight from the Caribbean that embodies the essence of sun-soakedshores and ocean breezes. This refreshing and zesty dish features conch, aprized marine mollusk, and a medley of fresh ingredients that pay homage to thebounties of the sea.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- A pound of freshly cleaned conch, expertly diced for your culinary creation.
- One cup of assorted bell peppers, finely diced for a burst of color and flavor.
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup diced cucumber
- 1-2 fresh hot peppers (such as scotch bonnet or habanero), finely chopped(optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Citrus Marinade:
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Ina large mixing bowl, combine the diced conch, diced bell peppers, diced tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, finely chopped cilantro, diced cucumber,and chopped hot peppers if using.
- Ina separate bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lime juice, freshly squeezed orange juice, extra-virgin olive oil, honey or agave nectar (if using), salt, and pepper to create the citrus marinade.
- Pour the citrus marinade over the conch mixture. Gently toss to ensure that the marinade coats all the ingredients. The citrus juices will help"cook" the conch.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or honey/agave to achieve the desired balance of flavors.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the Conch Salad for about 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the conch to marinate.
- Before serving, give the salad a final toss to redistribute the flavors. Serve the Conch Salad chilled as a refreshing appetizer or light meal.
Notes
- Sourcing fresh and properly cleaned conch is essential for safety and flavor. It's recommended to buy conch from reputable seafood markets.
- The citrus marinade "cooks" the conch through a process similar to ceviche. Ensure that the conch is well-diced and evenly exposed to the marinade.
- Adjust the heat level by adding or omitting hot peppers based on your preference for spiciness.
- While honey or agave nectar can balance the tartness of the citrus, you can adjust the sweetness to your liking.
- Conch Salad is traditionally served with crispy plantain chips or as a topping for a fresh salad.
- Keep the salad chilled until serving to maintain its freshness and flavors.