Our family loves all seafood, especially, salmon, fish and shrimps so I’m always looking for new, fast and delicious recipes we can all enjoy on a busy weeknight! I have to admit that I didn’t know much about sustainable seafood, but after a recent trip to Loblaws to look for the new Certified Sustainable Seafood label, I realized that I need to make better shopping choices for the future of our Canadian (and global) fisheries. Overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices are seriously impacting and damaging the ocean ecosystems that can cause long-lasting effects for the future of our oceans and the global seafood market. The World Wildlife Fund in Canada (WWF) recommends choosing products with the blue Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label for wild-caught seafood, and the green Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) for farmed. These independently certified fisheries have been recognized and rewarded for being well-managed and sustainable.
What is Sustainable Seafood? Sustainable seafood is either caught in the wild or farmed in ways that maintain both the long-term health of the oceans, and the health of the species being captured. Seafood from sustainable sources also takes the wellbeing of fisheries-dependent communities into consideration. source: schooloffish.wwf.ca
My guys are serious carb-aholics, so I wanted to make a healthy and yummy seafood pasta dish using a fibre-rich pasta the boys will never know is good for them! When I did my shopping, I chose to shop in the frozen seafood section, looking for the MSC label. I found tons of options for meals and even holiday appetizers that you cook right from frozen, defrost or add to your favourite recipes. I ultimately decided on making a simple marinara sauce (“red sauce” to the kids) with scallops (frozen in a marinara sauce) and frozen cooked cocktail shrimps, both with the sustainable seafood label.
Guilt-Free Sustainable Seafood Marinara Pasta Recipe
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic or 1 clove
1 can crushed tomatoes (I like the Italian seasoned ones)
frozen cooked cocktail shrimps (Look for the MSC label!)
frozen scallops in marinara (Look for the MSC label…plain scallops would also work!)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 – 1 tsp of each parsley, oregano, basil (based on your taste preference)
pasta of your choice (I love the high fibre or higher protein version)
Directions:
1.Heat the oil, garlic and onion in a large skillet.
2. Add in the defrosted cooked shrimps and the frozen scallops (mine were already in a light marinara sauce).
3. When shrimps and scallops have been heated and cooked to tenderness, add in the can of crushed tomatoes and Italian spices and mix together.
4. Simmer on the stove while you cook the pasta.
5. Cook the pasta al dente (we love spaghetti or fettuccine).
6. Toss the pasta in with the marinara mixture.
7. Serve and top with parmesan cheese and a side salad.
Will you look for the new MSC Certified Sustainable Seafood label the next time you shop?
What is your favourite way to cook seafood or fish?