Made from our local Florida Keys’ local shrimp, this soup is beyond delicious and delectable. Key West Pink Shrimp are a special kind of shrimp. They look and taste different than the typical grey gulf shrimp. Key West Pinks are wild-caught shrimp mostly harvested from the crystal clear waters in the southern Florida Keys. With their sweet and mild flavor, they can be enjoyed as a peel and eat shrimp, sauteed, grilled, broiled, fried, or be easily incorporated into any recipe. Key West Pinks, as they are called in the islands, are smaller than the grey gulf shrimp so keep that in mind when you plan your portions and grocery lists.
Locally caught, wild-caught, and scrumptious, Key West Pink Shrimp are a beautiful pink color and turn opaque after cooking. The shell color is indicative of the species and the environment in which they live. Key West Pink Shrimp live in the clean coral sand off the west coast of Florida which contributes to the pink shell color as well as the sweet taste. These special shrimp are not only unique in color, but can also be identified by the red dot on the shell.
Nearly 85 percent of the pink shrimp harvested in the United States comes from the Florida Keys. Prized for their sweet, tender meat, pink shrimp are caught fresh year-round, but are more abundant during winter months.
Ingredients:
• Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Fresh Fish, cut in small pieces
• Lobster, cut in small pieces
• Scallops (optional)
• Coconut milk, 1 can
• Chicken broth
• Fresh bite-sized vegetables (zucchini, yellow squash, sweet potatoes, bok choy, mushrooms, celery, etc.)
• Cilantro
• Lemongrass (optional)
• Garlic, minced or chopped
• Red pepper flakes or red chili (for spice)
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
Saute garlic, chili or pepper flakes, and vegetables in a tablespoon or two of olive or coconut oil. Once the garlic becomes aromatic, add chicken broth and coconut milk to cover vegetables. When vegetables are just ready, add seafood. Salt and pepper to taste. After about 5 minutes when seafood is done, add cilantro, stir and serve.
Saute garlic, chili or pepper flakes, and vegetables in a tablespoon or two of olive or coconut oil. Once the garlic becomes aromatic, add chicken broth and coconut milk to cover vegetables. When vegetables are just ready, add seafood. Salt and pepper to taste. After about 5 minutes when seafood is done, add cilantro, stir and serve.
We love it over cooked quinoa but rice would be great too.
Speedy tip: Purchase the flash-frozen cleaned and deveined key west pink shrimp at Fish Tales Market and Eatery. If you have a large group of people to feed, shelling and deveining the shrimp can be time-consuming.
Yield: 21/25 count, serves 3 to 4 people depending on the size of appetites!
Nutrition Notes: Healthy, low in calories, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, low in saturated fat. Rich in phosphorus and choline.
Where to Buy Key West Pinks in Marathon:
Fish Tales Eatery and Market is a great local spot to buy all of the seafood ingredients you need for this dish, even the flash-frozen cleaned and deveined shrimp. You can find the frozen shrimp in their freezer just inside the door. However, they are fresh on the counter almost always!
Keys Fisheries Seafood Restaurant, Market and Marina is also a terrific, reliable, and dedicated local source. Keys Fisheries even supplies Whole Foods!
Where to Buy Key West Pink Shrimp and Have it Shipped in the United States:
Keys Fisheries Seafood Restaurant, Market and Marina. An order can be placed online or you can call them to place an order or with any questions. Keys Fisheries has its own line of labeled and branded products: Blackened Seafood Seasoning, Conch Chowder, and Key Lime Pie to name just three. Browse their website to see what strikes your fancy.
Eaton Street Seafood Market, Key West. They pride themselves on receiving freshly caught shrimp on a daily basis and shipping it out that very day so that their customers receive the very freshest Key West pink shrimp possible. You can order the Key West Pinks for overnight delivery and this local market has other items to make your Key West Pink meal amazing such as Key Lime Mustard Sauce, cocktail sauce, conch ceviche, mango salsa, wakame seaweed salad, or remoulade sauce. You can go straight to their website and place an order online or you can call them up with specific directions or if you have any burning seafood questions to ask them!
