Escoveitched Lobster

escoveitched_lobster

Jamaican cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors, which are influenced by African, Indian, and Chinese cooking traditions. One of the most famous dishes in Jamaican cuisine is Escoveitched Lobster, which is a local specialty that is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

Escoveitched Lobster is a dish that is made by marinating the lobster in a mixture of vinegar, spices, and vegetables, then frying it until it is crispy and golden brown. The result is a deliciously flavorful and crunchy lobster that is bursting with spicy and savory flavors.

The dish is often served with a side of rice and peas, fried plantains, and a refreshing salad of cucumbers and tomatoes. It is a perfect meal for a special occasion or a romantic dinner for two, and it is sure to impress your guests with its exotic flavors and beautiful presentation.

To make Escoveitched Lobster, you will need to start by gathering your ingredients. For the marinade, you will need vinegar, sugar, onions, garlic, scallions, thyme, allspice berries, Scotch bonnet pepper, and salt. For the lobster, you will need one 2-pound lobster, which you can either purchase live or pre-cooked.

Once you have all of your ingredients, you can begin preparing the marinade. In a large bowl, combine the vinegar, sugar, onions, garlic, scallions, thyme, allspice berries, Scotch bonnet pepper, and salt. Mix the ingredients together until they are well combined, then set the marinade aside while you prepare the lobster.

If you are using a live lobster, you will need to prepare it for cooking by boiling it for 10-15 minutes until it is bright red in color. Let the lobster cool slightly, then remove the meat from the shell and cut it into large pieces. If you are using pre-cooked lobster, simply remove the meat from the shell and cut it into large pieces.

Once the lobster is prepared, you can begin marinating it in the vinegar mixture. Place the lobster pieces in the marinade and stir to coat them evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the lobster for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.

When you are ready to cook the lobster, heat a large skillet with some vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Remove the lobster from the marinade and shake off any excess liquid. Place the lobster pieces in the hot oil and fry them until they are crispy and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes on each side.

Once the lobster is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to drain any excess oil. Serve the Escoveitched Lobster with a side of rice and peas, fried plantains, and a refreshing salad of cucumbers and tomatoes. Garnish the dish with some chopped scallions and fresh parsley for added flavor and color.

In conclusion, Escoveitched Lobster is a delicious and exotic dish that is sure to impress your guests with its bold and spicy flavors. This Jamaican specialty is easy to make, and it is a perfect meal for any special occasion or romantic dinner. With its crispy and golden brown texture and succulent lobster meat, Escoveitched Lobster is a dish that is not to be missed.

Ingredients:

  • 2 fresh, whole lobsters
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 1 carrot, julienned

Directions:

  1. Prepare the lobsters by thoroughly cleaning and removing the shells.

  2. Combine the salt, black pepper, and paprika in a bowl and use it to season the lobster.

  3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the garlic, onion, and bell pepper, and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

  4. Place the seasoned lobster in the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, until the shells turn pink.

  5. Remove the lobster from the skillet and set aside.

  6. In a separate saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, hot pepper sauce, scallions, and carrot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

  7. Pour the hot marinade over the cooked lobster.

  8. Allow the lobster to marinate in the sauce for at least 30 minutes.

  9. Serve the Jamaican escoveitched lobster hot, garnished with fresh scallions or cilantro.