How to make Pwason Gwo Sèl, a flavorful Haitian fish dish in time for Good Friday

In Haitian culture, Pwason Gwo Sèl isn’t just a recipe—it’s a ritual. On Good Friday, kitchens in Haitian Christian homes across the diaspora and Haiti fill with the smell of citrus, epis and fish to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Here’s a recipe for the famed dish in time for Good Friday.

What you’ll need for Pwason Gwo Sèl

Ingredients

• 2 whole red snapper (cleaned and scaled) or 4 fillets of cod
• 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt
• Juice of 2 limes
• Juice of 1 sour orange (or substitute with more lime + a bit of orange juice)
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1/2 cup epis (Haitian seasoning blend)
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole (optional, for heat)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional for added richness)
• 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or olive)
• 1 cup water or fish stock

Step-by-step preparation

1. Clean and salt the fish: Rinse the fish in water with lime juice and vinegar. Pat dry and rub with coarse sea salt. Let it marinate for 30 minutes to an hour in the fridge.
2. Rinse and season: Lightly rinse excess salt from the fish. Rub each side with epis and citrus juice. Let sit another 15-30 minutes.
3. Sear the fish (optional): In a hot skillet, lightly sear the fish on both sides to lock in flavor.
4. Make the sauce: In the same pan, heat oil. Sauté onions, bell peppers and garlic. Add tomato paste and stir. Add epis and water or stock. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Simmer: Add the fish to the sauce. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through. Add the scotch bonnet whole for flavor, removing it before serving.
6. Serve: Best enjoyed with boiled plantains (bannann bouyi), yams or white rice.

The post How to make Pwason Gwo Sèl, a flavorful Haitian fish dish in time for Good Friday appeared first on The Haitian Times.