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Brazil · Armored Catfish

Armored Catfish Roasted in Its Shell over Coals

Cascudo na Brasa

On Brazilian riverbanks the cascudo goes straight onto the coals in its own armor, which works like a little oven and keeps the meat juicy.

  • Prep 15 min
  • Cook 30 min
  • Serves 4
  • Level Easy
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh · Pexels
Served with: Brazilian Tomato and Onion Vinaigrette ↓En Español

Ingredients

Tap each item as you gather it.

For the fish

Method

Step by step, the way it is done on the island.

  1. Light the fire. Build a wood or charcoal fire and let it burn down to a bed of glowing coals with no flames.
  2. Season. Scrub the fish and rinse. Mix the garlic, salt, pepper, butter and herbs and push a spoonful into each belly cavity. Squeeze lime over them.
  3. Roast. Set the fish belly-up on a grill close to the coals, or right in the edge of the embers. Roast 25–30 minutes, until the armor is charred and the juices bubble in the belly.
  4. Open and serve. Crack the belly plates open with a knife and eat the meat right out of the shell with lime and vinagrete.

On the side

The side dish that belongs with it, full recipe included.

Brazil

Brazilian Tomato and Onion Vinaigrette

Molho à Campanha (Vinagrete)

A fresh chopped salsa of tomato, onion and green pepper in vinegar and oil. At every Brazilian churrasco and beach grill it goes over the fish and rice.

  • Prep 15 min
  • Cook 0 min
  • Serves 6
  • Level Easy

You need

  • 3 ripe tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley or cilantro
  • ¼ cup white or red wine vinegar
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

How to make it

  1. Chop small. Dice the tomato, onion and pepper into small, even pieces, about ¼ inch (5 mm).
  2. Dress. Mix the vegetables and herbs in a bowl. Add the vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper and stir well.
  3. Rest. Let it sit 15–30 minutes so the onion mellows. Stir again and serve cold with a spoon.

Photo: Wilfredor · CC0

More ways to cook Armored Catfish

Same fish, a different corner of the sea.

Mato Grosso, BrazilBrazilian Armored Catfish Broth
Honda, Tolima, ColombiaColombian Stewed Cucha in Hogao
Arauca, ColombiaLlanero Grilled Corroncho with Ají