Grilled passion fruit shrimp skewers
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Additional Time
2 hrs
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
15 -20 skewers with 4-5 shrimp each
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
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Cuisine
South American, Ecuadorian
Grilled passion fruit shrimp skewers
Description
This recipe highlights shrimp marinated in a mixture of passion fruit juice, ground annatto powder (achiote), cumin, chili powder, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The passion fruit provides a fresh, fruity acidity that tenderizes and flavors the shrimp, while the achiote and spices add earthiness and mild heat. After marinating several hours, the shrimp are threaded onto soaked skewers to prevent burning during grilling.
Before grilling, the shrimp are brushed with melted achiote butter to enhance color and add richness. Grilling over high heat for 3-4 minutes per side cooks the shrimp quickly while caramelizing the marinade and butter glaze. The finished skewers have firm, juicy shrimp with a bright, flavorful coating.
They are served with complimentary dips such as a jalapeño cilantro salsa and chipotle yogurt sauce, along with fresh lime slices for squeezing. This combination balances smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors, making this dish suitable as an appetizer or a main dish paired with salad or rice.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Shrimp deveined, shells on or off depending on your preference, raw, 1 kg
- 15- 20 skewers previously soaked in water for about an hour – this keeps them from burning on the grill
Passion fruit marinade or adobo:
- 1 tablespoon annatto powder ground, or achiote
- 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup passion fruit juice unsweetened, pure or concentrate
- salt
- black pepper
Achiote butter for basting:
- 2 tbs butter melted
- ½ tbs achiote ground
Dipping sauces and sides:
- jalapeño cilantro salsa
- chipotle yogurt sauce
- lime slices
Instructions
- Marinate the shrimp with the passion fruit adobo or marinade ingredients for at least a couple of hours.
- Pre-heat the grill.
- Put the shrimp on the skewers, for a main meal put 5-6 on each skewer and for an appetizer put 3-4 on each skewer.
- Brush the shrimp with the melted butter achiote right before grilling.
- Place the shrimp skewers on a hot grill, grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until the shrimp are fully cooked. Baste with the achiote butter as needed. Exact cooking time will vary based on each grill and size of shrimp.
- Serve with lime slices and dipping sauces, with your choice of sides, or on top of your favorite salad.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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