Top 10 South American Freshwater Fish Dishes

Tambaqui na brasa is a fish dish consisting of a whole tambaqui fish that's covered inside and out with a marinade typically made with olive oil, salt, pepper, various herbs, garlic, and lime slices, but that will differ from recipe to recipe. The fish is then grilled until it catches color and is cooked through. Rice, rice and beans, tucupi sauce, and lemon slices usually accompany the dish. Expand

Patarashca is a traditional fish dish originating from the Peruvian jungle. The dish consists of freshwater fish that's stuffed and grilled. The ingredients include whole fish, onions, hot chili peppers, sacha culantro, oil, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. The fish is cleaned, then stuffed with the combination of sacha culantro, onions, garlic, oil, hot peppers, and cumin. Once stuffed, it's wrapped in bijao leaves and placed on the grill to cook until done. Once done, patarashca is traditionally served with roasted plantains or boiled cassava on the side.Expand

Boga a la parilla or boga on the grill is an Argentine fish delicacy consisting of grilled boga, a type of freshwater fish which is highly appreciated in Argentina. A whole fish is opened up and seasoned with spices, herbs, oil, lemon juice, and (sometimes) white wine. It is then placed on the grill and cooked to perfection on both sides. The fish is also commonly rubbed with dry chimichurri mix or flavored with different sauces such as salsa criolla, salsa provenzal, or salsa de maracuyá. Typical accompaniments to this grilled fish specialty include grilled or roasted vegetables, potatoes tossed with Provencal sauce, and a glass of white wine.Expand

Trucha a la parrilla is a fish dish consisting of trout fillets covered in a marinade of lemon juice, chopped parsley, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper. The trout is then grilled on a parrilla over low heat, until it becomes crispy, and it should then be consumed immediately. Sautéed potatoes or cooked rice are usually used as accompaniments to this dish.Expand

Chupín de pescado is a delicately flavored fish stew typical of the Entre Ríos region. It can be made with any fish, most commonly surubí or patí, which is cut into fillets or cubes, and then simmered with chopped vegetables, usually potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, and onions, along with crushed garlic, fish broth, wine, herbs, spices, and seasonings. This stew is typically served hot and garnished with parsley.Expand

Pacú a las brasas, meaning pacú on the embers, is a traditional Argentine fish specialty. It is made by grilling pacú - a type of freshwater fish related to the piranha - over hot embers of a wood or charcoal fire. Butterflied pacú is seasoned or marinated in a mixture of spices and herbs, and it is then placed on the grill. Once grilled to perfection on both sides, the fish is typically served on top of fresh lettuce leaves, and it's usually accompanied by tomato slices, potatoes, and fried onion rings on the side. Other typical accompaniments include sautéed vegetables, a fresh salad of apples, corn kernels, lettuce, and tomatoes, and a glass of fine white wine.Expand

Caldo de piranha is a traditional soup prepared with piranha fish as the key ingredient. The dish is a specialty of the Pantanal area in Mato Grosso do Sul. Other ingredients that are commonly used to prepare the soup include onions, tomatoes, annatto, chili peppers, and a combination of coriander, parsley, and spring onions. There are also variations with added garlic, lime juice, vinegar, and vegetables such as bell peppers. The piranha, a small bony fish without much meat is cleaned and boiled, then blended for the piranha stock, which is sieved to remove the bones. The onions are sautéed in oil with tomatoes, annatto, herbs, chili, and piranha stock, and the combination is simmered shortly before the soup is served. Caldo de piranha is often served in a glass, and it's believed that the soup is especially good for men's virility and strength.Expand

Maito de pescado is a traditional dish originating from the Pastaza region. The dish consists of river fish such as catfish, tambaqui, or bocachico that's wrapped in banana leaves, and it's then cooked in firewood. The leaves are tightly tied with natural fibers. In the past, the flavor would come only from the leaves, but nowadays people use salt, onions, or garlic for extra flavor. Once prepared, the maito (lit. wrap) is served with cassava, plantains, or potatoes on the side, which are products cultivated by the women farmers called Chagramamas. The dish is often paired with a cold glass of guayusa tea, and it can be found in traditional restaurants in the area.Expand

Sudado de surubí is a traditional dish originating from the department of Pando. The dish is usually made with a combination of surubí fish pieces, onions, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, garlic, flour, white wine, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. The fish is seasoned with salt and pepper, rolled in flour, and fried in olive oil. It’s then removed from the pan, and the onions, garlic, carrots, and bell peppers are sautéed in the same oil. Next, white wine, lemon juice, and seasonings are added to the mixture and simmered. Once the alcohol evaporates, the fish pieces are placed back into the pan and topped with tomato slices. The dish is cooked over low heat for a few minutes, and it’s then served with potatoes and rice on the side. If desired, use additional ingredients such as coriander, vinegar, and oregano for extra flavor.Expand

Caldo de carachama is a traditional and Ecuatorian soup made primarily from carachama, a type of freshwater fish commonly found in the Amazon basin. This soup is especially popular in the Amazonian regions, where the fish is abundant. The preparation starts by thoroughly cleaning the fish and boiling it until it's tender. A variety of regional ingredients might be added, such as yucca (cassava) and plantains, but garlic, coriander and aji peppers are usually only additions. Caldo de carachama is typically served hot, with sides like rice or a slice of lime to enhance the flavor. Some might also enjoy it with aji sauce or other regional condiments.Expand