You don't have to be pescatarian to go wild for an Icelandic 'Fishmas' tradition

Pescatarian? Ovenbaked Cod in metal tray, recipe from Fishmas

Even non- pescatarian's will love this oven baked cod is one of the Fishmas recipes

(Image credit: Fishmas.com)

By Selina Maycock 2020-11-12T16:32:49Z

Want to try going pescatarian? With Christmas 2020 going to be like no other, why not mix up your plans for Christmas dinner - going out with the old turkey traditions and in with the new 'Fishmas'.

You don't have to be pescatarian to appreciate the taste of a fish dish, and now celebrities have joined in the newly invented Icelandic tradition of ‘Fishmas’.

The twice weekly culinary celebration heralds the Nordic country’s glorious bounty, and with many different kinds of Icelandic fish available at Waitrose - stocking up on Christmas food couldn't be easier.

Here's a recipe for absolutely delicious fish tacos made with wonderful sustainably sourced Icelandic cod. I'm very pleased to be working with @seafood_iceland {AD} and their cod, line-caught from Iceland's well-managed and responsible fisheries 🎣 For those who are able to, I believe it's important to pay a little more for food products that are sustainably sourced 🙏 Icelandic seafood is a great example of this, you'll find them in Waitrose. __ These are AWESOME 💥 I added plenty of my fermented jalapeños, a big side of guacamole and my green tomato salsa verde 🌮 Do you guys cook with fish much at home? If so, what's your signature? Do you have a favourite ever seafood dish? Do you have a favourite type of seafood? (I think mine is 🦀) Fish Tacos Appx. 10 small / 5 large tacos Recipe from fishmas.com - check it out for more fish recipes Ingredients 🛒 FISH 200g Icelandic cod fillets 50g garlic oil Chilli sauce BATTER 225g beer or sparkling water 200g flour 5g salt 5g baking soda COLESLAW 25g carrots 75g white cabbage 75g red cabbage Juice from 1 lime Salt 25ml apple cider vinegar 2g parsley TO ASSEMBLE Chilli mayo Tortillas (10cm small / 15cm large) Lime Coriander, chopped 1.5 litre frying oil Spring onions __ Simmer coleslaw veg in a little oil in a pan. Add vinegar, lime juice, salt. Cook for a few mins. It should turn pink! Finish with parsley, remove from heat. __ Combine flour, baking soda, salt, beer or sparkling water. __ Cut cod into strips that fit your tortillas. Rub with garlic oil and chilli sauce. Dip in batter and deep fry in the oil at 180C for 5 mins until golden. Warm the tortillas in a dry pan. __ To serve, spread coleslaw on each tortilla. Top with a piece of fish, chilli mayo, spring onions, coriander, lime wedges 🌮 #FishmasRecipe #Fishmas #seafoodfromiceland . . . . . #gastropost #foodmatters #foodinstagram #tacos🌮 #taconight #foodphotograph #foodandwine #beautifulcuisines #thekitchen #tablesituation #bhgfood #todayfood #instayummy #epicurious #lifeandthyme #tastemade #fishtacos #makeitdelicious #thekitchn #seriouseats #quarantinecooking #healthyrecipe #easyrecipes #cookingathome #cookingwithlove #cookingisfun #happycooking Leyla Kazim
A photo posted by @thecutlerychronicles on Oct 27, 2020 at 9:07am PDT

Among the first to spread some Fishmas cheer is former Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, TV presenter Jenny Powell, Leyla Kazim and Tommy Brady, who have cooked up a Fishmas feast using delicious and sustainably sourced Icelandic seafood.

And you too can create recipes including Cod Ceviche, Fish & Chips and Fish Tacos found on Seafood from Iceland's new Fishmas website - designed to promote the versatility of the nation's seafood while delivering a slice of tongue-in-cheek humour.

The new website features 10 delicious family recipes along with a festive suggested playlist full of 'Fishmas' carols including Cod Rest Ye Merry Fishermen, Deck the Halls with Boughs of Haddock and Hark! The Haddock Anglers Sing. (And once you've read this you'll never sing them the old way again!)

And the festive spirit doesn't stop there - Father Fishmas is keen to share his gifts with the world. He said, "I’m delighted to bring our Fishmas traditions to the UK. Generation after generation, Icelandic fishermen have battled Arctic weather and formidable waves for the perfect catch. We don’t take that lightly.

READ MORE: Fish recipes

Kimberley Walsh cooks a Fishmas recipe — Former Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh cooks a Fishmas Feast for her family.

Other Fishmas recipes include:

Haddock En Papillote
Oven Baked Cod
Haddock Fingers
Breaded Cod Rolls
Fish Croquettes
Fried Fish and Mushroom Risotto
Haddock Paupiette

He continued, "We treat our waters with respect as we know that a sustainable relationship with our marine resources is the key to our very existence. But more importantly, our fish tastes so yummy, it is too good not to share with our neighbours to the south – it’s all part of the Fishmas spirit.

And added, "In Iceland we follow the ethos that the best way to spread Fishmas cheer is cooking a delicious fish supper for all to share. I’m really looking forward to coming to town.”

For more information about how to celebrate Fishmas at home with Iceland’s outstanding fresh produce visit Fishmas. To purchase the Icelandic cod and other ingredients from the Fishmas recipes, visit Waitrose where you'll be able to find what you want and much more.