These fish balls are like summertime and beach flavors on your table! Make these great albondigas de pescado in tomato sauce with any inexpensive fish.
Why we ❤️ it
Every time I think of albondigas de pescado I cannot help but think of the lazy beach days of summer. One of the few things I actually like about the season.
Fishballs cooked are in a tomato sauce, and it's ready in a very short time and are easy to make.
What's albóndiga de pescado
Albóndiga is the generic Spanish word for any savory food in the shape of a ball, as a rule of thumb, meat balls is what we think of if no other context is given. Albóndigas de pescado (fish balls) are balls made of minced fish, spices, and vegetables.
Dominican albóndigas de pescado can be sometimes fried and can be served with a dip. This one I present you here is a very popular dish in Montecristi, where I come from, so this recipe follows quite faithfully the version I know from my native city.
What fish to use
Nearly any fish fillet available in supermarkets can be used in this dish. Traditionally it is prepared with warm water fish (lower in fat) like bass, grouper, or red snapper. For non-traditional fish balls, you can use salmon.
I have found that this does not work well with frozen fish, as it tends to release too much liquid when thawed.
Dietary information
Fish balls are not keto-friendly, neither are fish balls gluten-free. You may have to make some adaptations to substitute something else for the breadcrumbs, but I haven't tested anything that would yield the same results as bread crumbs.
Serving suggestions
I like to serve these fish balls with a bit of arroz blanco (white rice), some avocado, or tostones.
About our recipe
Fish balls are one of my favorite ways to make fish, and it is also a great way to make the most of inexpensive fish. You can double the recipe and make large batches to freeze, they keep quite well for a couple of weeks if stored wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn.
Depending on the size of the balls, this recipe yields up to 16 to 20 fish balls and can serve 4 generous portions or 6 decent portions.
Recipe
[Recipe + Video] Albondigas de Pescado (Fish Balls in Tomato Sauce)
Ingredients
For the fish balls
- 1 small white onion
- ½ bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 sprigs parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (freshly-cracked, or ground)
- 1 pound white fish filet, [0.75 kg] fresh, skinned
- 1 cub breadcrumbs, or homemade breadcrumbs (our recipe) (extra, if needed, see notes)
- vegetable oil, to grease your hands
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon bija (annato, achiote) powder
- 1 large white onion, cut into strips
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1½ bell pepper, cut into strips
- 4 large tomato, cut into cubes
- 2 sprigs parsley, (or cilantro, if you prefer)
- 1 teaspoon salt
To garnish
- 3 limes, (cut into wedges)
Instructions
Make seasoning: Mix bell pepper, onion, garlic, parsley, a pinch of pepper, and a teaspoon of salt and pulse in the food processor until you obtain a coarse paste. Set aside.
Make fish balls: Cut the fish into cubes and pulse in the food processor until it turns into a uniform paste. In a large bowl, combine fish and seasoning paste from step 2. Mix well. Stir in the bread crumbs and combine well.Grease your hands with some oil, scoop 1½ tablespoons of the paste (see notes), and make the fish paste into balls of about 1½" in diameter. Set aside in the fridge.
Make sauce: Heat the oil over low heat in a large skillet or pot. Stir in the bija powder. Add the onion and cook and stir until it becomes translucent. Add garlic, tomato, and bell pepper and cook and stir for a minute over medium heat. Cover and simmer for five minutes, until the tomatoes start releasing liquid.Very gently add the fish balls, making sure they don't break.
Cook balls: Simmer over low heat for five minutes. Gently flip the fish balls and simmer for another five minutes.Sprinkle with black pepper and parsley.
Serve: Remove from the heat. Serve with white rice o tostones and garnish with lime wedges.
Video
Tips and Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutritional information.
