This woodsy, one-pan meal feels like something you’d cook over an open fire—but comes together easily on the stovetop. The pine needles infuse the fish with a gentle, woodsy aroma, balanced by buttery potatoes, tender kale, and a bright, winey broth. If pine boughs aren’t within reach, feel free to substitute a mixture of other evergreen herbs as the base of this dish.
Whole fish, made easy
Cooking whole fish makes for an impressive meal, and it’s easier than you might think. Instead of 2 fish fillets, try using a whole trout in this recipe instead. Your local fishmonger can dress the trout for you (meaning the viscera, fins, and scales are removed), saving you some of the messy work of preparing the fish for the pan.
Needle know-how
It’s important to research properly before going out foraging for pine needles. While several varieties of pine needles are considered safe to use in culinary preparations, such as the white pine, eastern white pine, and Jeffery pine, there are some toxic needles to be aware of. Trees to avoid include: - lodgepole pine - ponderosa pine - yew - hemlock - cypress
This recipe was originally published in the December 2025 issue of alive magazine.
Pine Needle Trout
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) baby potatoes
- 2 – 8 oz (225 g) steelhead trout fillets
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) avocado oil
- 2 handfuls freshly harvested pine needles
- 3/4 cup (180 mL) dry white wine
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) low-sodium vegetable broth or water
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 large bunch kale, stalks removed, and leaves torn into large pieces
Directions
01
Boil or steam potatoes until just tender, with some resistance when pierced with a sharp paring knife, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
02
Season trout with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
03
In large cast iron skillet, warm together butter and avocado oil over high heat. Add pine needles, tossing to coat in fats. Spread pine into single layer over bottom of skillet. Lay seasoned trout overtop pine needles. Let cook until skin is golden brown, approximately 2 minutes per side.
04
Add potatoes, wine, and vegetable broth to skillet. Cover with lid or large metal bowl; reduce heat to medium and steam for 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and kale to skillet. Cover again and continue to cook until kale is wilted and fish is cooked through, tender and flaking easily, approximately another 2 to 4 minutes.
05
To serve, divide potatoes and kale between 2 serving plates. Fillet fish and divide between serving plates.
06
Into separate bowl, strain skillet sauce through fine mesh before discarding pine needles. Drizzle sauce over fish and serve.
