Basque Grilled Cod with Piperade

Flaky grilled Pacific cod, smoky tomato-pepper piperade, and charred summer zucchini make a vibrant Basque-inspired dinner worth firing up the grill for.

Ingredients

  • Pacific Cod Fillet
    12 ounces $14.99
  • Organic Zucchini Squash
    12 ounces (about 2 medium) $2.77
  • Organic Heirloom Tomatoes
    12 ounces (about 2 medium) $4.43
  • Red Bell Peppers
    1 medium $3.99
  • Sweet Onion
    1/2 medium $1.79
  • Organic Garlic, 3 CT
    2 cloves $2.89
  • Organic Lemons
    1 lemon $1.29
  • Italian Parsley Bunch
    1/4 cup chopped $1.49
  • Refined avocado oil
    3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons
  • Red wine vinegar
    1 tablespoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Before heating the grill, dice 1/2 medium sweet onion and 1 medium red bell pepper and combine them in a bowl; dice 12 ounces heirloom tomatoes, mince 2 garlic cloves, chop 1/4 cup Italian parsley, and zest and halve 1 lemon. Slice 12 ounces zucchini lengthwise into 1/2-inch planks. Pat 12 ounces Pacific cod dry, cover it, and return it to the refrigerator.
  2. Preheat the grill to medium-high, about 425°F, for 10 minutes. Keep a medium cast-iron skillet off the heat while the grill preheats.
  3. Add 1 tablespoon refined avocado oil and the prepared mixture of 1/2 medium sweet onion and 1 medium red bell pepper to the unheated skillet. Set the skillet on the grill and cook for 5 minutes once the vegetables begin sizzling. Stir in the prepared 12 ounces heirloom tomatoes, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; cook for 7 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, remove the skillet from the grill, and cover it to keep warm.
  4. Coat the prepared 12 ounces Pacific cod with 1 tablespoon refined avocado oil, the zest from 1 lemon, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Coat the prepared 12 ounces zucchini with 1 tablespoon refined avocado oil, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  5. Scrape the hot grill grates clean. Using long tongs and a folded paper towel, carefully wipe the grates with 2 teaspoons refined avocado oil. Place the seasoned 12 ounces cod and 12 ounces zucchini on the oiled grates; grill undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning carefully with a wide fish spatula, until the zucchini is charred and the cod reaches 145°F. Rest the cod for 3 minutes.
  6. Divide the warm piperade between 2 plates and arrange the grilled portions alongside it. Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon over the plates, scatter with 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley, and serve.

Total time: 50 minutes

Estimated cost: $30–$35

Health notes: About 470 calories per serving, with roughly 35 grams of protein and plenty of fiber-rich summer vegetables.

Drink pairing: A chilled Txakoli has the bright acidity and subtle spritz to lift the smoky vegetables and lemony cod.