Coconut-Braised Cod with Malanga Dumplings and Roasted Pumpkin
Puerto Rican Food
Intermediate

Coconut-Braised Cod with Malanga Dumplings and Roasted Pumpkin

An original Puerto Rican-inspired dish featuring tender cod braised in a light sofrito-coconut sauce, served with soft malanga dumplings and roasted pumpkin for a contrast of texture and gentle island sweetness.

25 minPrep
45 minCook
70 minTotal
4Servings
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings
4
  • 680 g fresh cod fillets (skinless, en trozos large)
  • 450 g peeled malanga (for hervir and majar)
  • 400 g pumpkin, cubed (1 inch)
  • 400 ml coconut milk (without sugar)
  • 120 g Puerto Rican sofrito (casero or preparado)
  • 120 g white onion (in strips finas)
  • 60 g sweet chili pepper (sliced)
  • 12 g garlic (chopped)
  • 240 ml vegetable broth (low sodium)
  • 45 ml olive oil (divided)
  • 16 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
  • 30 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 2 g dried oregano
  • 1 g ground cumin
  • 1 g black pepper
  • 5 g salt (ajustar to taste, with cuidado por the caldo)
  • 24 g rice flour (for ligar the bolitas)
  • 14 g butter (for the malanga)
  • 2 unit bay leaves

Nutrition facts

per serving

457 kcal
Calories
33 g
Protein
27 g
Carbs
24 g
Fat
5 g
Fiber
22 g
Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Fish

Instructions

  1. 1

    1. Preheat the oven to 425°F / 220°C. Place the pumpkin on a baking sheet, toss it with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and roast for 25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and tender.

  2. 2

    2. Meanwhile, place the malanga in a pot with enough water to cover it and boil over medium-high heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until very soft. Drain well.

  3. 3

    3. Mash the hot malanga with the butter, rice flour, 1 tablespoon cilantro, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the cumin until a smooth dough forms. Let cool for 5 minutes and shape into 12 even dumplings.

  4. 4

    4. Bring a medium pot of water to a gentle boil. Cook the malanga dumplings for 4 to 5 minutes, or until they float and feel firm. Remove carefully and set aside.

  5. 5

    5. Season the cod fillets with the lime juice, oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Let them rest for 10 minutes.

  6. 6

    6. In a wide skillet or caldero, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion, sweet chili pepper, and garlic for 3 minutes. Add the sofrito and cook 4 more minutes, stirring often.

  7. 7

    7. Add the vegetable broth, coconut milk, and bay leaves. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes so the sauce comes together. Taste and adjust with the remaining salt if needed.

  8. 8

    8. Add the cod to the sauce in a single layer. Cover partially and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.

  9. 9

    9. Add the roasted pumpkin and malanga dumplings to the skillet. Spoon the sauce gently over everything and cook 2 minutes more to heat through without breaking the fish.

  10. 10

    10. Remove the bay leaves and finish with the remaining cilantro on top. Serve hot with plenty of coconut-sofrito sauce.

Chef tips

If the malanga mixture feels too wet, add 1 extra tablespoon of rice flour. For deeper flavor, let the seasoned cod rest for 20 minutes before cooking.

Substitutions

You can substitute the malanga with white yautia in the same amount. The pumpkin can be replaced with sweet potato, adjusting the roasting time as needed.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

  • Illustrative image: Air fryerIllustrative image

    Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer

    Browning and baking with little oil

    • Browns food with very little oil
    • Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
    • Check the basket capacity
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Digital kitchen thermometerIllustrative image

    TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer

    Checking doneness of meat and chicken

    • Checks doneness of meat and chicken
    • Quick reading
    • Clean the probe after each use
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Non-stick frying panIllustrative image

    T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan

    Eggs, omelets and stir-fries

    • Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
    • Comfortable, sturdy handle
    • Use wooden or silicone utensils
    View on Amazon

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