Costa Rican Style Charales

Ingredients

In the Costa Rican adaptation of Charales, the traditional Mexican spices are replaced with local Costa Rican spices, such as achiote and culantro. Additionally, the dish is often served with a tropical fruit salsa, incorporating ingredients like pineapple and mango, which adds a refreshing twist to the original recipe. We alse have the original recipe for Charales, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) charales 500g (1.1 lb) charales
• Juice of 4 limes Juice of 4 limes
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon achiote powder 1 teaspoon achiote powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• Tropical fruit salsa, for serving Tropical fruit salsa, for serving
• Tortilla chips, for serving Tortilla chips, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 5g, 1g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the lime juice, minced garlic, achiote powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
2. 2.
   Place the charales in the marinade and let them soak for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.
3. 3.
   Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
4. 4.
   Remove the charales from the marinade and pat them dry with a paper towel.
5. 5.
   Fry the charales in batches until they turn golden brown and crispy, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
6. 6.
   Transfer the fried charales to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
7. 7.
   Serve the Costa Rican Style Charales with tropical fruit salsa and tortilla chips.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Charales — Ensure that the charales are fresh and properly cleaned before marinating them. Remove any scales or impurities to enhance the taste and texture of the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• If charales are not available, you can substitute them with small freshwater fish like smelt or sardines.
• For an extra kick of flavor, add a dash of hot sauce or chili powder to the marinade.
• Serve the charales with a squeeze of fresh lime juice for added tanginess.
• To make the tropical fruit salsa, combine diced pineapple, mango, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
• Adjust the level of spices according to your preference by increasing or decreasing the amount of achiote powder and black pepper.

Serving advice

Serve the Costa Rican Style Charales as an appetizer at your next gathering or as a main course accompanied by rice and beans for a complete meal. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for an added touch of freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the crispy charales on a platter, garnished with lime wedges and tropical fruit salsa. Serve with a side of tortilla chips for a delightful crunch.