RECIPE: Sailor Jerry's Shrimp Scampi
Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2020
By: Nicole Hartshorn
The start of the 21st century was a big deal to me and it came with life changes. My ever-so-loved cut off jean shorts were replaced with capri pants, and my awesome tie-dyed Grateful Dead t-shirts were replaced with crop tops! The band Temple of the Dog seemed to “Say Hello to Heaven” and die off—as many one hit wonder spin off bands do—and I’m pretty sure they were replaced with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I even made the change from Banana Boat tanning oil to boring high-SPF sunblock. Ugh… growing up means life changes.
As much as life seemed to change for me in my late teens into my early 20s, one thing was consistent: FAMILY. Family never truly goes away, gets replaced, or dies off in our hearts. My family and I share special memories and long lasting traditions, most of them centering around “the River.”
If you were to ask me what my favorite tradition is at the River, I would have to truly say it is fishing with my Dad! (Whom we refer to as Sailor Jerry.) Our fishing trips are not fancy or ever very elaborate. It’s just us, a 16 ft Lund, my grandfather’s poles, and a packed cooler. The only thing ever missing is the fish and we always know where to find them—a place called “The Palisades,” which is located a few miles down river from Cedar Point State Park.
The Palisades are stone slate cliffs that line the shore, presenting as a natural head wall. A big group of uprooted trees descending from this head wall have marked our desired location for as long as I can remember. We usually motor over in front of the trees, about 50 yards out just before a drop off, and Sailor Jerry throws the anchor. We are ready to fish!
I can’t tell you how many hours we have spent together at The Palisades, talking or not talking, and just sitting while holding our fishing poles, full of anticipation for that first nibble from a mysterious nautical creature. I love this tradition of fishing with my Dad and plan to continue it with my children.
While styles or music or the things we do in life can all change, try to keep at least two things the same. 1) Keep making memories by spending time with family and 2) keep those awesome Grateful Dead t-shirts!
All this talk about fishing has inspired me to share a healthy seafood recipe that I like to make on our boat!
Cheers!
The River Gal
Sailor Jerry’s Shrimp Scampi
Serves 2 Hungry Anglers
Stock your galley with:
- 1 pound (16 oz) of uncooked jumbo shrimp
- 1 pound (16 oz) of spiralized zucchini noodles (found in the frozen veggie isle)
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic (I love garlic)
- 1/4 cup butter (I love butter)
- 1/2 cup of frozen spinach
- 1 fresh lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Heavy duty tin foil
Instructions:
You will need your boat grill hot and ready on a medium temperature!
Form the heavy duty foil to make a large bowl shape and add your thawed zucchini noodles, uncooked jumbo shrimp, garlic, butter, and spinach. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add a couple slices of fresh lemon on top. Then, fold and pinch the foil together, creating a “pouch,” and set this on the hot grill. Let your delicious ingredients steam cook in the foil until you see that the shrimp has turned pink, somewhere around 20 minutes.
When the shrimp is fully cooked, carefully remove the pouch from the grill and serve in the foil or transfer the food to a plate. Personally, I enjoy eating it right out of the foil!
Magma Products is one place you can find a portable boat grill. Available in gas or charcoal, and in plenty of sizes, both square and circular.
→ magmaproducts.com
About the Author
Nicole Hartshorn – The River Gal – has been featured in “Thousand Island Life Magazine” and “Sea Ray Living”. Nicole is also the author of “River Entertaining: Food and Drink Ideas for Boaters in the Thousand Islands”, published by Friesen Press.
tags: Recipes
