Making Mango Salsa on Location in Costa Rica
According to my surfer buddy in San Diego, “surfer’s surprise” is anything you take out of the fridge and throw together for dinner. In that spirit, then, I thought I’d write down the recipe for fish tacos I used to make in Costa Rica with my surfer pals. Warning: we never measured anything; the ingredients often consisted of what we could literally pull off the trees. The fish was whatever they’d caught in the ocean that day, and the appetizer was usually a coconut from the beach. (Tip: assuming you manage the get the damned thing unhusked, stick it in the freezer for an hour or so before serving–the chill brings out the sweetness of the coconut meat. Cut hunks off with a pocketknife and pass them out to your friends! You can also eat the thin, inner brown shell. It gives the meat a nuttier taste.)
Make a salsa by dicing and combining:
1 mango
1-2 tomato(es), depending on size
1/2 or 1 onion, depending on size and sharpness of onion
1 avocado
Add 1 can of drained black beans and the juice of 1 lime.
Sauté a firm-fleshed, light fish (such as tilapia or trout). If the fish flakes apart, that’s fine–you’ll need to separate it into chunks for serving, anyway.
Spoon the fish into white corn tortillas (flour tortillas also work). Top with salsa and enjoy!
!Pura vida!
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Tags: avocado, black bean, coconut, costa rica, fish, mango, surfers, tortilla
Yup, just as the lady was saying…”Surfers Surprise…” You just take whatever is available and edible, within reason, throw it together and if it tastes good…”Surprise!” I have many a fond memory of putting the resources of a couple different surfing buddies kitchen cabinets and fridges together for a communal meal of whatever. I have to say, more often than not, we were surprised and enjoyed a wonderful meal.
Having said that, I have to admit there is something to be said for having a decent job that enables one to have a well stocked fridge and pantry. It’s just too bad the decent job doesn’t allow for a morning session of tasty waves during the week.