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Written by Margot Reisner, a summer intern for Saratoga Farmers’ Market, and 2014 graduate of Skidmore College.
Dogfish, bluefish, swordfish, squid, cod, bass, shrimp, scallops, mussels, and more! Pura Vida Fisheries is offering a wide-range of fish and seafood for the Saratoga region this summer at its Saturday-only booth at the north end of the Farmers’ Market at High Rock Park.
Rick Lofstad, a third generation fisherman, runs Pura Vida Fisheries in Hampton Bays, New York (Suffolk County). His family has been casting nets into the waters off Long Island for over half a century, since Lofstad’s grandfather emigrated from Norway. Captain Rick now carries on the family tradition.
Pura Vida Fisheries harvests everything from sushi grade tuna and octopus to clams, crabs and lobsters. Cor-J Seafood Corporation, the most reputable fish handler in Hampton Bays, expertly prepares the catch for markets.
Pura Vida then brings its products to over two-dozen farmers’ markets in the tri-state area. All products are brought to Saratoga within 24 hours of being caught so product is very fresh.
Pura Vida connects consumers to the source of their food, an especially important task for fish and seafood. Global fish stocks are becoming polluted and depleted due to large, commercial fishing operations; the situation is so bad that specialties like Blue Fin Tuna will soon disappear.
Pura Vida contrasts these unsustainable practices with a business model that matches the seasons. Captain Rick offers seafood products based on what is available locally and encourages customers to adjust their eating patterns in order to reduce the strain on global fisheries.
Pura Vida Fisheries lives up to its name, offering the purest possible seafood. Pura Vida fish have never been penned or fed. As Captain Rick says, “It’s a wild fish just the way it came out of the ocean.”
Fish Tacos with Mango and Avocado
Serves 4-6 people
*Ingredients available at market
A note from the Pura Vida taco expert: be liberal with salsa and lime juice. Add both while cooking and upon serving!
Ingredients
1-2 pounds fish* (such as porgy, scup, or red snapper) from Pura Vida Fisheries
Greens* (torn lettuce or sliced cabbage)
2 mangoes
2 avocados
2-3 limes
10 tortillas
Salsa of choice
Spices and hot sauce of choice
Directions
In considering how much fish to cook, allow about one handful of sliced fish per taco.
Remove any bones and cut up fish. Season with chili spices of choice. Slice mangoes and avocados. Finely slice greens.
Heat oil in a saucepan. Add fish, salsa, and a bit of fresh lime juice to pan. Cook fish for 4-5 minutes.
Heat tortillas briefly on a griddle or in the microwave between damp paper towels.
Add greens, fish, salsa, a few slices of mango, a few slices of avocado and hot sauce to tortillas. Serve and enjoy.
