Recipes

Spicy African Pompano Rice Cakes

Will Levatino

How To Make Spicy African Pompano Rice Cakes

Sometimes your best utensil when cleaning fish is an unlikely one. In this case, it’s a spoon. No matter how good you are at filleting fish, you may leave some meat behind on the rack. On any sushi grade fish like African Pompano, Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna or Yellow Jack, after I fillet, I like to take a spoon to the rack and scrape off any meat left behind.

This meat is perfect for making things like fish cakes, spicy sushi rolls, fish patties, or mixing into pasta since it already has the consistency of ground meat. On larger fish, you’d be surprised how much yield you can scrape off. On any fish that you can consume raw, this is one of my favorite things to do. It is also a way to have no waste from your catch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this method also works well with grouper, snapper, tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi, and many other firm fish.

RAW FISH DISCLAIMER: Consuming raw or undercooked fish, shellfish, or seafood may increase your risk of food-borne illness, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, immunocompromised, elderly, or have certain medical conditions. Always source seafood from reputable suppliers, keep it properly refrigerated, and follow safe handling practices. If you are unsure whether a fish is safe to eat raw, cook it thoroughly to the recommended temperature before consuming.

Cooked white rice, jasmine rice, or leftover short-grain rice usually works best because it binds well and crisps nicely when pan fried. Slightly sticky rice can help hold the cakes together.

You can get African Pompano in coastal areas where the fish is commonly landed, especially through fresh seafood markets, specialty fishmongers, and restaurants that serve local catch. In the United States, Florida and Gulf Coast markets are some of the best places to look, particularly shops that focus on seasonal seafood or locally sourced fish. Because African Pompano is less common than species like snapper or grouper, availability often depends on recent catches and local demand.

Why You Should Use The Fish Frame

The African Pompano fish frame is one of the most valuable parts of the fish and should not be overlooked after the fillets are removed. Frames often still hold a surprising amount of flavorful meat along the bones, belly line, and near the collar, making them perfect for picking clean and using in additional meals like these spicy African Pompano rice cakes. Instead of wasting those leftovers, the frame can stretch one fish into multiple dishes while helping you get the most value from your catch or purchase.

Beyond leftover meat, the bones and connective tissue in the frame are excellent for making rich seafood stock, soups, chowders, and broths. Roasting or simmering the frame can extract deep flavor that becomes a great base for future recipes. Smaller scraps can also be turned into fish cakes, rice cakes, dips, or tacos. Using the frame reflects a full-use approach that reduces waste, respects the fish, and rewards the cook with extra meals and bold flavor.

Other Recipes Like Spicy African Pompano Rice Cakes

We have a full database of recipes that would be suitable for preparing African Pompano, we also have a few species specific recipes on the African Pompano species guide. Every part of the fish is delicious, be sure to check out our recipes for all of the different parts!

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