Lionfish Hunting and Cooking in Islamorada
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ส.ค. 2023
- The notorious Lionfish is one of those invasive species you just can't seem to eat enough of! Lionfish hunting in the Florida Keys is one of my favorite hobbies - and it doesn't get much better than a genuine Lionfish catch, clean, cook with a few close friends.
There is no shortage of this scourge of the sea in the Florida Keys, and for over 19 years now, i've been spearing and preparing these fearless fish for the dinner table. Truth be told, you can prepare Lionfish in just about any way imaginable - whether you prefer it traditionally cooked, or something a bit more exotic - the light, delicate, and sweet white meat they yield is nothing short of a delicacy. No matter which Lionfish recipe you prefer, you are almost guaranteed an inspiring meal.
In this episode, a few friends and I head out to the reefs just off Islamorada for an afternoon of Lionfish hunting, in order to cull a few of these invasive monsters for an unconventional Lionfish "catch, clean, cook" - featuring one of my all time favorite preparations...spoons!
You read that right - over the past few years, the popularity of "sushi spoons" has become all the rage here in the Florida Keys. And there are few species of fish more suited for this perfectly pacific-style preparation than the Lionfish. By dicing lionfish meat into tiny pieces and marinating them in sesame oil, ponzu, chili oil - topped with a smattering of furikake - you're certainly in for a treat.
This is not your average Lionfish catch, clean and cook video - I prefer lionfish raw in order to taste the full essence of the meat. With a bit of diligent preparation and the right combination of ingredients, Lionfish can be one of the most delightful delicacies you've ever tasted.
Consuming lionfish as often as possible contributes directly to the conservation of the coral reefs. The Lionfish is one of the most prolific invasive species in South Florida waters, and with no natural predators - its population continues to thrive. While there's simply no way to completely eliminate them, or stop them from proliferating - you can cut down on their population by eating them whenever you have the chance!
Have a favorite lionfish recipe? Is there a lionfish recipe you adore so much you couldn't even consider eating them any other way? Please let me know and i'll give it a try!
Wow, always good eats when Charlie is here 👏😋❤️
Nothing but the best for the Stanzfam crew. 👨🍳
Another great video Charles. Love to watch you cook just as much as dive
Thanks Marge! 🤩
As a teenager I worked in a pet shop with an extensive saltwater collection. It was a cool job because i had 2 saltwater tanks at home. My pride and joy was a 125 gal tank and one of the fish was a Volitan Lion, we just call them lionfish today. One day, cleaning the tank, I backed the fish into a corner without noticing. It is a pain I will never forget. I've passed a kidney stone and been hit by a car and I'd prefer either of those to the pain of a lionfish.
Great video Charlie! As a foodie, I love your food prep, presentation and cooking. You certainly rock in the kitchen and the water. Don’t sell yourself short in any manner.
Thanks for sharing!!! Now I’m hungry. Lol
Thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words, and hope you find the opportunity to enjoy a bit of lionfish in the near future! It's a must try for all foodies.
6:27 Now you’re showing off!!!
tease, gang I'm hungry
🤩😘
Ketjap means sauce in Indonesian.Manis: a soy sauce variant
Thank you! Whatever that sauce is - it's excellent.
Lion fish still sell for $50 to $275 apiece at the pet stores
I'm in the wrong business!
Hi Charlie. Hi Sassy. 😊
Ahoy! Thanks for watching the lionfish hunt!
Can anything be done with the spines, like keeping them to send off for making antivenom?
As far as i'm aware - the primary use for the discard spines and fins is jewelry. There are several artists here in the Florida Keys who create various pendants, earrings, and a variety of crafts with the spines.
@@BonaFideWorldGuide Do artisans dull them down first? I guess there's no longer any potency in the venom that can be useful at that point. I'm curious, because I never see much discussion about what's done after having so many spines.
Where can we buy that fishing pole you are using un this video?
This is my preferred lionfish pole spear: www.diversdirect.com/p/lionfish-pole-spear-with-paralyzer-tip
How much per pound are the fish markets and restaurants paying for lionfish in 2024? Any idea?
Typically - wholesale lionfish is sold at between $4 and $6 per pound (usually a whole fish). I believe there is also a government incentive to harvest and sell them. Here's a handy list of wholesale dealers: myfwc.com/media/17877/lf-wholesaledealerlist.pdf