Walnut and Garlic crusted Cod with Mashed squash and plantains

I am terrible. I haven't written here in forever.

I made this lovely dish a couple of days ago though that I need to write down because it was so good, I don't want to forget it.

1 filet of cod
heaping handful of walnuts
Smoked salt (I have this lovely applewood smoked salt) Other salt is fine too :)
2 large cloves (or 3 medium cloves) garlic

1/2 cup roasted squash
2 ripe plantains, sliced and steamed until soft
1-2  tsp (give or take a little)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup plain yogurt
pinch salt
1/4 tsp cumin

Assorted Veggies (green beans, broccoli, etc)
at least one or two handfuls of cilantro
4-5 cloves minced garlic



My inspiration for the veggies was Portuguese: they make almost everything with a huge hit of cilantro and garlic. I love it.

For the cod? My mom always puts a bread crumb topping on her fish which I find boring, and it gets soggy afterwards too. Yuck.

Method:
Pulse walnuts, garlic, and salt in food processor til you get small crumbles.
Sprinkle on top of cod.
Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes. Broil on high for about a minute to get a little char on the crust.

After steaming plantains and roasting squash, combine all in large bowl.
Add yogurt.
Add spices.
Puree with immersion blender.
If it's too thick, add some water/soy milk/milk

Sautee veggies and garlic together.
Turn off heat and throw in cilantro at the end and toss.


My mom is not a very adventurous eater. I thought she'd hate the squash/plantain mix. The squash was from our garden, and the plantains had been forgotten in our fridge for several weeks (maybe even a month?). She absolutely LOVED the mash.

The thing about this dish that makes it a winner is the flavors hitting the palette...

The bitter-ish salty crunch of the walnuts and garlic smashes against the slightly sweet, tangy plantain squash mash. The cilantro provides a fresh smack against all of it. Ah! Just writing about it makes me want to make it again.

I'll take photos next time :) Sorry!