
Garifuna signature dish of whole fish in rich coconut broth served with pounded plantain fufu.
Hudut is the centrepiece of Garifuna cuisine and one of the most iconic dishes in all of Belize. The Garifuna people — an Afro-indigenous people with roots in St Vincent who settled on the coast of Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala — prepare this ceremonial and everyday dish by cooking whole reef fish (traditionally snook or jack) in a creamy, fragrant coconut broth spiced with basil and fresh herbs, served alongside fufu: mashed green and ripe plantains pounded together into a smooth, sticky, earthy dumpling. Eating Hudut is a communal, joyful experience, scooping bites of the fufu into the rich coconut soup.
Sirve 4
Rub the scored fish all over with lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Let marinate 20 minutes.
In a wide pot, combine coconut milk and water. Add onion, garlic, basil, thyme, and the whole scotch bonnet. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Gently lower the whole fish into the simmering coconut broth. Cook uncovered for 20–25 minutes, spooning broth over the fish, until the fish is cooked through and flaking. Remove scotch bonnet before serving if you prefer less heat.
While the fish cooks, boil both green and ripe plantain chunks in salted water for 20–25 minutes until very soft. Drain well.
Transfer the cooked plantains to a large bowl or mortar. Pound vigorously with a pestle or mash with a sturdy fork until you get a smooth, sticky, slightly elastic dough. Season with a little salt. Shape into round balls or ovals.
Place fufu in deep bowls. Ladle the coconut fish broth generously over and around the fufu. Serve the fish whole or broken into portions alongside.
Use the freshest fish you can find — this dish is all about quality ingredients.
The combination of green and ripe plantain is essential for the right fufu texture — not too starchy, not too sweet.
Do not rush the pounding; the fufu should be very smooth and elastic.
Taste and adjust salt at the very end — flavors concentrate as liquids reduce, and a final pinch of flaky salt sharpens the whole dish.
Use lobster or shrimp instead of whole fish for a luxury version.
Add ground annatto seeds to the coconut broth for a golden colour.
Vegetariano: cambiar la proteína por champiñones ostra rey asados, tofu ahumado o garbanzos cocidos — ajustar el condimento ligeramente hacia arriba para compensar.
Más picante: agregar un chile fresco finamente picado o una cucharadita de pimienta Aleppo/Urfa machacada a los aromáticos para obtener un calor cálido y en capas en lugar de un golpe agudo.
The broth and fish keep refrigerated for 2 days. Fufu is best made and eaten fresh; it hardens when chilled.
Hudut is a dish of the Garifuna people, whose culture blends the heritage of Arawak/Carib indigenous peoples of the Caribbean with that of West African people. The Garifuna were forcibly displaced from St Vincent by the British in 1797 and settled along the Central American coast. Their food traditions, including Hudut, have been recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Traditional Garifuna Hudut uses snook (robalo), king fish, or jack. Any firm-fleshed white fish works well. Avoid very delicate fish that might fall apart during cooking.
A blender or food processor can work but gives a different, sometimes gummier texture. Traditional pounding is recommended for the right elastic consistency.
Sí — la mayoría de los componentes se pueden preparar hasta un día antes y refrigerar por separado. Recalentar suavemente y ensamblar justo antes de servir para que las texturas se mantengan distintas.
Mantente cerca del rol que juega cada ingrediente: intercambia aromáticos por similares (chalota por cebolla, lima por limón) y mantén el equilibrio grasa-ácido-sal intacto. Las mezclas de especias generalmente pueden aproximarse con lo que hay en el armario.
Por porción (450g) · 4 porciones totales
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