Couscous with Vegetables and Fish Balls

I will create for you a delicious recipe that combines the lightness of vegetables and the freshness of fish with the nuances of Mediterranean cuisine, with a truly Italian touch. Here is the recipe for Couscous with Vegetables and Fish Balls.

Ingredients

• 200 g of precooked couscous
• 250 ml of vegetable broth
• 300 g of white fish fillet (for example, cod or sea bream)
• 1 zucchini
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh parsley to taste
• 1 egg
• Breadcrumbs to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Ground cumin (optional)
• 1 lemon (for garnish)

Preparation

1. Start by finely chopping the fish fillet and place it in a bowl. Add the minced garlic and parsley, egg, a pinch of salt, pepper, and some breadcrumbs for texture. Mix everything together until you get a homogenous mixture.
2. Form small fish balls from the mixture and set them aside.
3. Heat a drizzle of oil in a pan and cook the fish balls until they are golden on all sides. Remove them and set them aside.
4. Dice the zucchini and peppers and finely chop the onion. In a larger pan, sauté the onion in extra virgin olive oil until it becomes translucent.
5. Add the diced vegetables and cook until they are tender but still crunchy. If you like, you can add a sprinkle of cumin for a more exotic taste.
6. Bring the vegetable broth to a boil and pour it over the couscous in a bowl. Cover and let it rest for 5 minutes, then fluff it with a fork.
7. Combine the couscous with the vegetables in the pan, adjust the salt and pepper, and cook together for a couple of minutes, stirring gently.
8. Serve the couscous with vegetables in deep plates and place the fish balls on top of the couscous bed.
9. Finish with grated lemon zest and a drizzle of raw extra virgin olive oil for a fresh and citrusy aroma.

Trivia

Couscous, while typical of North African cuisine, has integrated well into the Sicilian culinary tradition, where it is often served with fish. Enriching couscous with vegetables and fish balls, we create a unique dish that evokes the flavors of the sea and the embrace of the Mediterranean sun.

I wish you a good preparation and an excellent appetite! If you wish to pair a wine with this dish, a fresh and fruity white like Vermentino or Greco di Tufo would make a pleasant match.