Steamed fish huntu with sesame crust
Seasoned fish balls coated in a sesame-and-spice mixture and steamed. Makes approximately 15–20 balls; the recipe serves about 4. Times are practical estimates based on the steps.
Huntu is a dish of steamed fish balls. The mixture is chilled before shaping, then the balls are coated in a crust of seeds and spices. Allow about 20 minutes for preparation, 30 minutes to chill, and up to 15 minutes to cook.
Ingredient allergens
Allergen listDocumented presence
-
Cereals containing gluten
Semolina
Ingredients without verified allergen data 15
Ingredients without verified allergen data: Haddock fillets, Fresh ginger, Fresh garlic, Onion, Scotch bonnet chile, Sunflower oil, Vegetable stock cube, Toasted white sesame seeds, Dried ginger flakes, Black sesame seeds, Dried garlic flakes, Red pepper flakes, Very hot chilli flakes, Sea salt flakes, Lime wedges.
Method
- 01
Blend and chill the fish mixture
Put the haddock fillets, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, onion, scotch bonnet chilli, semolina, sunflower oil and crumbled vegetable stock cube in a food processor. Blend until evenly combined. Transfer to a container, cover and chill for 30 minutes.
Ready to continue when: The mixture is even and, after chilling, can be scooped up to shape into balls.
10 min - 02
Prepare the sesame-and-spice crust
Mix the toasted white sesame seeds, dried ginger flakes, black sesame seeds, dried garlic flakes, red pepper flakes and very hot chilli flakes in a bowl.
Ready to continue when: The seeds and spices are evenly distributed.
5 min - 03
Shape and coat the balls
Take one-tablespoon portions of the chilled mixture and shape them into balls. Roll them in the sesame-and-spice mixture until well coated; you should make approximately 15–20.
Ready to continue when: The balls hold their shape and have a visible coating over the whole surface.
5 min - 04
Steam and serve
Arrange the balls in a steamer lined with baking paper, without crowding them, and steam for 10–15 minutes; work in batches if needed. Cut one open to check that the fish is white throughout. Serve warm with sea salt flakes and lime wedges.
Ready to continue when: The fish is white throughout when a ball is cut open, and the balls are served warm.
15 min
Ingredients
Sources and review
Content researched, cross-checked and automatically validated. Sources consulted:
- Nutrición www.aesan.gob.es/nutricion
- Global Theories and Local Reaction: Fighting Corruption and Traditional Governance in Sierra Leone | Springer Nature Link doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52958-0_6
- Sierra Leone food: how to cook like a local | olivemagazine www.olivemagazine.com/travel/africa/sierra-leone-cook-like-a-local/
- Appraisal and composition of some traditional complementary foods for infant nutrition in Sierra Leone | OpenAlex openalex.org/W3109438204
- Gastronomía de Sierra Leona - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastronom%C3%ADa_de_Sierra_Leona
- Cómo preparar un plato típico de Sierra Leona www.uncomo.com/comida/receta/como-preparar-un-plato-tipico-de-sierra-leona-5575.html
- Oh, hey akastage-www.foodsafety.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-wedding-food-safety.pdf
- Sierra Leone Shines in Style at WTM London 2025: A Showcase of Culture, Cuisine, and Connections🇸🇱Sierra Leone Shines in Style at WTM London 2025: A Showcase of Culture, Cuisine, and Connections🇸🇱Sierra Leone Shines in Style at WTM London 2025: A Showcase tourism.gov.sl/sierra-leone-shines-in-style-at-wtm-london-2025-a-showcase-of-culture-cuisine…
- Fish ball stew recipe | Traditional Dish | Woolworths TASTE taste.co.za/recipes/fish-ball-stew/
- Traditional Sierra Leonean Dishes: Our Favorite Cassava Leaf Soup Recipe | Sierra Leone Tourism - Page 3 tourismsierraleone.com/stories/traditional-cassava-leaf-soup-recipe/3/
- Hand pies and spiced lamb: Maria Bradford’s Sierra Leonean home cooking | Food | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/food/2025/aug/04/west-african-hand-pies-spiced-lamb-recipes-maria-bradfo…
- Vegan West African Peanut Stew thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/african-vegan-peanut-stew/
- The best places to eat authentic African food in Freetown www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/blog/food-drink/the-best-places-to-eat-authentic-african-food-i…
- Salone jollof | Traditional Rice Dish From Sierra Leone | TasteAtlas www.tasteatlas.com/salone-jollof
- Cassava Leaf Stew Recipe — How to Make It mycookingcalendar.com/recipe/cassava-leaf-stew-sierra-leone/
- Babel en TVE - Programa de variedades en RTVE Play www.rtve.es/play/noticias/20110204/sierra-leona-arroz-con-espinacas-plasas/401208.shtml
- Gastronomía de Sierra Leona para Niños ninos.kiddle.co/Gastronom%C3%ADa_de_Sierra_Leona
- Recipe for rebellion: Civil war in Sierra Leone (Chapter 2) - Child Soldiers doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511676475.004
- Fish Huntu | olivemagazine www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/fish-and-seafood/fish-huntu/
- The Hirshon Sierra Leone Fried Crispy Fish Balls - Huntu | Instacart www.instacart.com/store/recipes/11707314
- West African Food Traditions in Virginia Foodways: A Historical Analysis of Origins and Survivals. | OpenAlex openalex.org/W4213812
- Recipe: Fish huntu from Sierra Leone - InDepth www.thecaterer.com/indepth/recipe-fish-huntu-sierra-leone
- - YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t6TfAIxORk
- Cocina de Sierra Leona: Una Gastronomía Llena de Vida | Remitly www.remitly.com/blog/es/comida/cocina-de-sierra-leona/
- The Hirshon Sierra Leone Spicy Fish Balls - Huntu - ✮ The Food Dictator ✮ www.thefooddictator.com/the-hirshon-sierra-leone-spicy-fish-balls-huntu/
- Sierra Leone Food Recipes | The Perfect Groundnut Stew - Page 2 tourismsierraleone.com/stories/sierra-leone-food-recipes-the-perfect-groundnut-stew/2/
State: Published after documentary validation; no “Tested” label is shown.