Filed Under: cook, main-dish, north-american, Under 20 Mins, Vegetables

Pan Fried Trout with Zucchini Ribbons and Pine Nuts

Be sure to plant some lemon thyme in your garden this spring. It gives pan-fried trout a lift in this recipe and is versatile enough to be used to subtly scent shortbread cookies or pound cakes.

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April 8th, 2012

Recipe by Paula Bowman

Servings
4
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Ingredients
  • 2 small zucchini (about 8oz), trimmed, sliced lengthwise into 1/16-inch ribbons*
  • 1 small squash, trimmed, sliced lengthwise into 1/16-inch ribbons*
  • 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/4 Cups baby watercress
  • 1/4 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon thyme leaves, or regular thyme
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/4 cup, plus 2-teaspoons fruity olive oil
  • 1/4 Cups pine nuts
  • 14 (6oz) fresh rainbow trout fillets
Directions
  1. In a colander, toss zucchini and squash ribbons in 1/4-teaspoon salt and set aside for 10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels and set aside in a bowl with watercress.

  2. In a small bowl whisk lemon zest and juice, thyme leaves and honey together. Slowly whisk in 1/4-cup olive oil to blend. Season with salt and pepper and set aside

  3. In a large dry non-stick skillet, set over medium-high heat, add pine nuts and stir constantly until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside. Return skillet to heat and add 2-teaspoons olive oil. Working in batches as necessary so as not to overcrowd the skillet, gently place trout fillets, skin-side up and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip fish over and cook the other side until fish is cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan, keep warm and cook second batch of fish, adding more oil as necessary.

  4. To serve, pour 1-tablespoon vinaigrette over zucchini and watercress, season with salt and pepper and gently toss. Divide equally between 4 plates, set trout over top of zucchini and sprinkle pine nuts around fish. Spoon remaining vinaigrette over fish or serve on the side to be poured over fish as desired.

Pan Fried Trout with Zucchini Ribbons and Pine Nuts
Photography by Carlo Mendoza