Mediterranean Salt Roasting - the Perfect Culinary Hybrid

For all those who have had the good fortune of attending one of Italy's fabulous wedding celebrations, the endless supply and variety of unbelievably good food is always a wonder to behold.  Starting with the antipastos and wending its way through the myriad courses through to the luscious desserts, the feasts are a delight for all the senses.  Invariably, however, the crowning highlight of the meal will be a huge fish (or several of them) roasted in salt.

The the platters are taken from the oven and brought before the assembled guests.  Everyone gathers round in anticipation while the bride and groom swiftly crack the salt encrusted delicacy with small wooden mallets.  Gently brushing away the salt, the servers take over and start doling out the succulent fish to the eager guests.  No matter how often Italians or other Mediterranean people eat fish and other foods made this way, they keep returning to it.  They know what's good. 

Just what is it about salt-roasted fish that makes it so good?  This is an interesting question because salt roasting does not only apply to fish, but can also be used for meat, poultry and even vegetables.  Why it is so popular for fish is simple.  It is one of the simplest and most foolproof methods to prepare fish at home that is as good or better than you can get in a gourmet restaurant.  With the ongoing recognition of the nutritional importance of fish including the cardiovascular of their omega3 fatty acids, salt roasting is set to become one of the more popular methods of healthful cooking. 

For anyone who was tasted salt roasted foods, they are amazed at how juicy and flavorful they are.  There are reasons for this.  Salt roasting combines the nutritional benefits of gentle steaming with the flavor-generating properties of roasting.  When the fish (or other food) is encrusted in salt, the salt fuses together to form an almost impenetrable barrier sealing in moisture and flavor.  In addition, the contact of the food with the fused salt ensures a dry heat roasting on the surface, in much the same way as conventional roasting, except that the flavor is completely sealed in the salt casing.  The salt never penetrates into the food itself.  The salt roasting method ends up being a perfect hybrid of steaming and roasting with the added benefit of ensuring zero loss of aroma and flavor.   Despite all the newer, more elaborate methods of cooking that have been developed over the years, it's no accident that salt roasting remains a mainstay method for anyone wanting to bring out all the flavors and nutrition inherent in different foods.

The various foods that can be made by the salt roasting method, the following links will provide both recipes and techniques to make these delicious and nutritious foods.  Also see our other salt-related recipes and check out this article by Russ Parsons in the LA Times.

Fish

Salt Roasted Sea Bass or Rockfish Video  
Whole Salt Roasted Fish from Epicurious   
Baked Sea Bass in Herbed Salt Crust  
Jamie Oliver's Pesce intero al forno in crosta di sale     
Salt Roasted Red Snapper I
Salt Roasted Red Snapper II    
Salt Roasted Whole Salmon  
Salt Baked Branzino
Salt Baked Fish  
Trout Baked in Coarse Salt 
Whole Fish Baked in Salt I
        ***Sauce (for whole fish baked in Salt)
Whole Fish Baked in Salt II
Whole Fish Baked in Salt Crust
Whole Red Snapper Baked in a Salt Crust                                                    

                                           

Poultry

Norwegian Salt Roasted Chicken with Spring Cabbage Gratin and Morel Sauce
Salt Baked Cornish Hen with French String Beans
Salt Roasted Chicken    
Salt Baked Chicken     
                                                                                         

Meat

Rock Salt Roasted Prime Rib of Beef (as simple as it gets)
Kosher Salt Encrusted Prime Rib Roast
Beef Roasted in Salt Crust I
Beef Roasted in a Salt Crust II 
Beef Tenderloin with Herb-Salt Crust
Crusty Salt Steak
Herbed Roast Beef in Salt Crust
Kosher Salt Encrusted Prime Rib Roast
Salt-Cooked Rib-eye Steaks  
Salt Encrusted Beef Tenderloin  
Standing Rib Roast in Salt Crust
Minted Salt Baked Lamb Rack with Stewed White Beans and Toasted Almond Piccata
Salt Cured Leg of Lamb Spekemat

       

Vegetables and Others

Salt-crusted Baby Potatoes
New potatoes roasted in salt
Potatoes in Salt Crust
Salt Baked Potatoes
Roasted Potatoes Buried in Sea Salt I
Roasted Potatoes Buried in Sea Salt II
Gordon Ramsey Salt Baked Pineapple Great Video (220 degrees Centigrade = 425 degrees Fahrenheit)
Carne Seca Beef with Pumpkin Puree with Salt-Baked Pineapple Flavored with Cinnamon for Dessert

 

Please send us other salt roasting recipes you come across!