Moroccan Fish Pastilla

🧡 Story

Delicate, crispy, and bursting with sea flavor, this Moroccan Fish Pastilla is a meat pie that combines flaky fish, vermicelli noodles, herbs, and spices wrapped in buttery warqa or phyllo pastry.
It’s a lighter seafood adaptation of the classic chicken or pigeon pastilla, with a perfect balance of crunchy layers and flavorful filling.
Ideal as part of your Main Dishes collection, this recipe makes a stunning starter or festive holiday main course for special occasions.

• Ingredients :
• For the filling:
• 400g white fish fillets (hake, cod, or sea bass)
• 100g cooked shrimp (optional)
• 100g vermicelli noodles, soaked and drained
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley and cilantro
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon
• For assembly:
• 6–8 sheets warqa (or phyllo dough)
• 2 tbsp melted butter or oil for brushing
• 1 egg, beaten (for sealing)

• 👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
• Prepare the filling:
• Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
• Add the fish and spices; cook until the fish flakes apart.
• Stir in shrimp (if using), herbs, lemon juice, and noodles.
• Mix well and let cool slightly.
• Assemble the pastilla:
• Brush a baking dish with melted butter.
• Layer several sheets of warqa or phyllo, overlapping them.
• Add the filling in the center and fold the edges over to close.
• Brush the top with butter and seal with beaten egg.
• Bake:
• Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes, until golden and crisp.

• 🌿 Serving Ideas
• Serve warm with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Pair with a green salad or zesty orange salad.
• Cut into small triangles for party appetizers or Ramadan gatherings..

🍋Cultural Note

In Morocco, pastilla represents celebration and hospitality.
While the chicken and almond version is often served at weddings, the fish pastilla is popular in coastal cities like Essaouira and Casablanca, showcasing Morocco’s love for the sea and its rich culinary diversity.