Mediterranean Salmon Kabobs
Yield: 5-6 Skewers
Mediterranean Dish
Salmon kabobs prepared Mediterranean-style with a garlicky, zesty marinade, zucchini and onions! Grilled, broiled or grill pan. Serve these with your favorite Mediterranean salads and sides and a little Tahini sauce or Tzatziki and some pita or naan.
Note: If you don’t like spicy, just use sweet paprika in the marinade.
- 1½lb salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch to 2-inch cubes
- 1zucchini, sliced into rounds
- 1small red onion, cut into squares/chunks
- optional: green pepper, cut into chunks.
- Kosher salt and pepper
For marinade:
- ¼-⅓cup olive oil
- 1lemon, zested and juiced
- 3garlic cloves, minced
- 2tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2tsp dry oregano
- 1tsp ground cumin
- 1tsp mild Aleppo chili pepper (substitute: 1 tsp sweet paprika and a healthy pinch of cayenne)
- ½tsp ground coriander
Marinate salmon:
In a small bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, oregano, thyme, cumin, Aleppo pepper and coriander.
Place salmon pieces, zucchini and onions in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper and toss briefly. Now pour the marinade over the salmon and toss again to make sure the salmon is well coated with the marinade. Let the fish marinate for about 15 to 20 minutes (see Cook’s Tip)
Build skewers:
Note: Skip the skewers for indoor cooking. Just broil (see below) or sauté in a large heavy skillet.
Beginning with salmon, thread salmon, zucchini and onions through skewers (if using wooden skewers, be sure to have soaked them for 30 minutes before using.)
Heat an outdoor grill (indoor grilling instructions in notes). Arrange salmon skewers on top and cover the grill. Grill salmon kabobs for 6 to 8 minutes, covered, or until the fish is opaque throughout, turning once midway through cooking (using tongs is the best way to turn the salmon skewers)
Cook’s tips:
The marinade packs the salmon with tons of flavor and acts as a brine to help keep it from drying out. If you want to give the salmon a little more time in the marinade for even more flavor, cover and refrigerate for one hour or so before grilling.
Indoor grilling instructions: brush a griddle or grill pan with a little bit of olive oil and heat on medium. Arrange the salmon kabobs in one layer (do this in batches if needed and do not crowd the kabobs). Cook for 3 to 5 minutes on side, turn over once and cook for another 4 minutes or so. If you like, you can cover them for even cooking.
Broiling instructions: Heat oven broiler. Line a quarter or half sheet pan with foil or Silpat for ease of cleaning. Add a baking rack to the pan and spray with cooking spray. Arrange salmon skewers on top of the baking rack and place about 5 to 6 inches below broiler. Cook on one side for 4 to 5 minutes, turn over and cook another 4 minute or so or until fish is opaque throughout.
Skewer less Broiling instructions: Heat oven broiler. Line a quarter or half sheet pan with foil or Silpat for ease of cleaning. Add a baking rack to the pan and spray with cooking spray. Arrange vegetables on one end of the top of the baking rack and place about 5 to 6 inches below broiler. Cook on one side for 4 to 5 minutes.
Remove from broiler. Add salmon to other end of pan and cook another 4 to 5 minutes.
Remove from broiler again and turn everything over. Broil for another 4 to 5 minutes or so or until fish is opaque throughout.