A Local Favorite: Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association Monkfish Stew

May 15, 2020 / A Local Favorite, Food and Drink, Good to Know

With its large mouth and rows of sharp teeth, a Monkfish isn’t so pretty and looks more like a sea monster from the deep. Its beauty lies deep within. The meat of a monkfish is firm and white with a mildly sweet taste and dense texture resembling that of lobster.

Fished in the North Atlantic waters, monkfish is one of the local seafood species that Gloucester fishermen sustainably catch readily available to purchase. In Gloucester, check some of our local fish markets such as Gloucester Fisherman’s Wharf, Turner’s Seafood Market, and Connelly’s — currently offering online ordering and curbside pickup.

Known as “poor man’s lobster”, this delicious fish can be cooked in a variety of ways — baked, broiled, fried, grilled, poached, and sauteed. A local favorite to serve up monkfish is in a stew, like the following recipe Gloucester Fishermen’s Monkfish Stew from the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association cookbook The Taste of Gloucester, A Fisherman’s Wife Cooks. It’s a perfect dish for a cozy night or for a hearty meal any time of year.

GLOUCESTER FISHERMEN’S MONKFISH STEW
Serves 6

Click on the monkfish image to download the printable recipe card.

2 lbs monkfish, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/3 cup oil (vegetable or olive)
1 cup sliced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup celery, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup carrots
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
1 8oz. can tomato sauce

In a saucepan, saute onion, carrot and celery in oil until softened. Add tomato sauce and cook for an additional three minutes, moderate heat. Add monkfish cubes, salt, pepper and parsley. Stir, lower heat and cook for 20 minutes. For more broth, add a little water. Serve with bread or over rice.

Fish substitutes: Halibut, Lobster meat, Scallops

Fisherman Wives Statue Gloucester MA

The Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association (GFWA) is a non-profit organization promoting the New England fishing industry, helping to preserve the Atlantic Ocean as a food supply for the world, and assisting active and retired fishermen and their families to live better lives. It offers a Community Supported Fishery program and recipes, like this one, for abundant but underutilized fish species. In addition to The Taste of Gloucester cookbook, enjoy more favorite Gloucester recipes passed from generation to generation featured in The Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Cookbook. For more information, visit GFWA.org.