Description
If you’re looking for a new way to serve traditional gefilte fish loaves, Crunchy Gefilte Fish with Tomato Lime Salsa is a refreshing, crispy, delicious way to change up your fish appetizer. Fried, coated gefilte fish is topped with freshly homemade tomato, lime and cilantro salsa. It’s loaded with flavor. Your family and friends will love it and you for serving something traditional with a tasty twist.
You can find my original version of the “Kosher Scoop” 2011 recipe on Kosher.com.
Ingredients
For the Tomato Lime Salsa
- 3 large tomatoes, diced
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- juice of 2 limes (around 4 tablespoons)
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil (optional)
For the Crunchy Gefilte Fish
- 2 loaves frozen gefilte fish, defrosted (gluten free, Kosher for Passover)
- 2 cups corn flake crumbs or panko crumbs (gluten free, Kosher for Passover)
- 1 baby carrot
- avocado or safflower oil for frying
To Finish
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
For the Tomato Lime Salsa
- Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
For the Crunchy Gefilte Fish
- While the salsa is chilling, cover a large baking sheet with paper towels. Set aside.
- Unwrap the fish keeping the defrosted fish on the paper. Using a sharp knife, cut the fish in half widthwise, then cut each half into an additional 2 to 3 pieces, depending upon how large you’d like your patties to be.
- Cut the fish loaf in half lengthwise for a total of 8 to 12 portions. Repeat for the second loaf.
- Place the 2 cups of crumbs in a large casserole or 9×13-inch foil pan.
- Wearing gloves (preferably vinyl), roll each fish portion into a ball, flatten into a patty, then dredge in the crumbs to coat on both sides.
- Repeat for the remaining fish portions.
- In a large skillet over medium/high heat, heat around 1/2-inch of oil or just enough to cover the bottom of the skillet. Place the carrot into the oil to prevent clouding.
- When the oil is hot, place coated fish patties in the oil, frying on both sides until golden brown. Place the fried fish patties on the prepared baking sheet, and repeat with the remaining fish patties adding additional oil as necessary.
- Can be made a day or two ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To Finish
- Plate one or two pieces of Crunchy Gefilte Fish on a plate.
- Top with Tomato Lime Salsa.
- Garnish with additional cilantro leaves and fresh lime wedges.
Equipment

7″ Bunka Chef Knife – Forge To Table CODE: KOSHEREVERYDAY for 10% off
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Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil for Cooking – 1.75L (KP)
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Coza Stackable and Unbreakable Serving Bowl for Mixing, Serving, Salad or Dessert with Lid- Set of 6
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GreenPan Valencia Pro Hard Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 11″ Frying Pan Skillet
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Hast Paring Knife-3.5 Inch Small Kitchen Knife
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HexClad 12 Inch Hybrid Nonstick Frying Pan and Tempered Glass Lid
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HexClad 14 Inch Hybrid Stainless Steel Frying Pan with Lid
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Jeff Nathan Creations Chef Gourmet Panko Plain Gluten Free
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Landau Panko Crumbs”Gluten Free” Kosher For Passover 7 Ounce (Plain)
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OXO Good Grips Pro 12″ Frying Pan Skillet
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Prepworks by Progressive Dice and Slice Chopper, 3 Interchangeable Blades
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Pyrex 8-piece 100 Years Glass Mixing Bowl Set (Limited Edition) – Assorted Colors Lids
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You could also use the Cucumber Dill Sauce from the Salmon Rolls with Cucumber Dill Sauce. I think that would be fabulously tasty as well. If you’re a purist, you could even top the fish with Traditional Horseradish – I’ve already got mine started, or with the Horseradish Cream from Ceviche with Horseradish Cream or Chopped Steak Patties with Horseradish Cream.
The jalapeno gives the salsa a nice little kick, not too much, but itβs enough to add some extra flavor to the normally kind of bland fish. If you arenβt a spicy/jalapeno fan, you can leave it out of the recipe.
I normally am a fan of frying in either peanut or avocado oil as they both have fairly high smoke points and donβt add any additional taste to the food. As an Ashkenazi Jewish person, I donβt use kitniyot (legumes) on Passover, so Iβm sticking with either avocado oil or safflower oil to fry these up. The avocado oil worked especially well.
In the case that you have an anti-soap tasting cilantro person at your table, feel free to leave the cilantro out or to substitute flat leaf parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 Pieces Crunchy Gefilte Fish topped with Tomato Lime Salsa
- Calories: 194
- Sugar: 4.1 g
- Sodium: 699.2 mg
- Fat: 8.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2.1 g
- Protein: 4.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg