Cassava and Fish Pie Recipe: A Caribbean Comfort Food
When it comes to comfort food, pies, and casseroles stand out for their ability to transform humble ingredients into culinary masterpieces. Today, we’re diving into the rich and hearty world of cassava and fish pie—a dish that brings Caribbean flavors to the forefront while offering warmth and nourishment.
This recipe combines fresh cassava, a root vegetable beloved in Caribbean cuisine, with tender codfish and aromatic seasonings. The result? A creamy, savory pie that’s perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or even as a standout dish for potlucks.
And if you are a cassava lover, make sure to check out some cassava pone and cassava dumplings.
Why you’ll love this recipe
This pie is everything you want in a comforting dish. First off, it’s packed with those bold, vibrant Caribbean flavors we all love! Cassava gives it that perfect creamy texture, and the flaked fish adds just the right amount of savory goodness.
Don’t have fresh cassava? No problem. Frozen or pre-mashed cassava works just as well, so you can enjoy this dish even when you’re short on time. And let’s talk about that cheesy topping—melty and golden.
Whether you’re making it for a cozy family dinner or to impress guests, this pie is bound to be a hit. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it on repeat!
How to make cassava and fish pie
Key ingredients
- Cassava: The star of this dish, cassava lends a creamy texture and mild flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. It’s boiled with a hint of vinegar to retain its subtle sweetness and soften its fibrous texture.
- Fresh Codfish: Cooked and flaked, codfish provides a savory, flaky contrast to the starchy cassava. Salted water enhances its natural flavors.
- Herbs and Aromatics: A mix of onions, sweet peppers, garlic, scotch bonnet, chives, pimento peppers if you have, and thyme gives this pie its signature Caribbean flavor profile.
- Cheese Topping: A light sprinkle of grated cheese adds a golden, savory crust, making every bite irresistible.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cassava Base
Wash, peel, and cut the cassava into 2-inch rounds. Boil in lightly salted water with a touch of vinegar until tender. Remove the tough inner strings and drain well. You can cut it after boiling if using frozen cassava.
2. Cook the Fish
Simmer the codfish in salted water until it flakes easily. Remove it from the pan, let cool slightly, and flake into small pieces.
3. Build the Flavor
Sauté the onions, sweet peppers, garlic, scotch bonnet, chive, and thyme in a mix of olive oil and butter. Add the flaked fish and stir in the cornstarch. Cook until the mixture thickens.
4. Combine and Assemble
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked cassava, fish mixture, and seasonings. Mix well to ensure every bite is flavorful. Transfer to a buttered baking dish and sprinkle grated cheese evenly over the top.
5. Bake to Perfection
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
Serving and Pairing
Serve this cassava and fish pie as a main dish alongside a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables. It’s also perfect on its own for a satisfying meal.
Tips for Success
- Using Frozen or Pre-Mashed Cassava: Put frozen cassava into boiling water. Pre-mashed cassava can be warmed and adjusted for consistency.
- Handling Scotch Bonnet: Use gloves when handling to avoid irritation, and adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.
- Make Ahead: This pie can be assembled and refrigerated before baking. When ready to serve, simply bake as directed.
More Caribbean baked pies
Looking for more Caribbean-inspired pies? Check out these recipes:
Bring the flavors of the Caribbean to your kitchen with this comforting cassava and fish pie. Whether for a casual dinner or a festive occasion, it’s sure to be a hit!
Did you try this recipe?
I’d love to hear how your cassava and fish pie turned out! Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to leave a star rating to let others know how much you enjoyed it. If you loved this recipe, be sure to share it with your friends and family—let’s spread the Caribbean flavors together!
Recipe
Cassava and Fish Pie
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Wash and peel the cassava and cut them into 2-inch rounds.2 pounds fresh cassava
- Put in boiling water that has been lightly salted water with vinegar. Boil until tender.1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt
- Remove cassava strings and drain from the water.
- In a shallow frying pan, cook the fish in a little salted water until it is tender then flake the fish up.2 pounds fresh cod fish
- In a separate pan, saute the herbs in the butter1/2 pound onions, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 teaspoon scotch bonnet pepper, 2 oz chive, 1 oz thyme, 2 tablespoon butter
- In a mixing bowl, add the flaked fish and cornstarch and cook until the starch thickens.2 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 pounds fresh cod fish
- Combine the cassava rounds, fish mixture, and all the remaining ingredients (minus the cheese)1/2 cup red and green sweet peppers, 1 teaspoon white pepper, 1 oz olive oil
- Place the cassava mix in a buttered dish then sprinkle with cheese.1/2 cup grated cheese
- Bake for 10 – 15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
Looks really good!😋