Tunisian Fish Ball Tagine – The Forward

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds mild white fish fillets, such as cod, sole, snapper, or sea bass
• ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 small yellow onions, finely chopped or puréed in a food processor
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ to 1 teaspoon harissa, homemade or store-bought
• 2 teaspoons ground toasted cumin
• 4 ounces day-old bread, crust removed, soaked in water, and squeezed dry, or ½ cup matzo meal
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 tablespoons tomato purée; 4 fresh ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped; or 1 can (14 ounces) chopped tomatoes
• 1 ½ cups fish broth or water
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Harissa, homemade or store-bought
• Peel of preserved lemon, homemade or store-bought, rinsed and chopped (optional)
• Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish