Ingredients

  • 1 cup cubed ciabatta (1-inch pieces)
  • 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 2 yellow bell peppers
  • Canola oil, for brushing
  • 1 small red onion, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick
  • 1 ear of corn, shucked
  • Kosher salt
  • Pepper
  • 1/2 fennel bulbhalved, cored and thinly sliced
  • 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over (1/2 cup)
  • Four 6-ounce skin-on pickerel, flounder or perch fillets
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed parsley leaves
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed mint leaves

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 400.
  • On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the ciabatta cubes with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and bake, tossing occasionally, until crisp and golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar with the garlic and let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Roast the red and yellow peppers directly over a gas flame or under the broiler, turning, until charred all over.
  • Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let cool, about 15 minutes.
  • Peel, stem and seed the peppers, then cut them into 1 1/2-inch pieces.
  • Add to the vinegar in the bowl.
  • Light a grill or preheat a grill pan and oil the grate.
  • Season the onion and corn with salt and pepper and grill over high heat, turning as necessary, until tender and nicely charred, about 6 minutes.
  • Cut the kernels off the cob.
  • Add the corn, onion, croutons, fennel, tomatoes, crabmeat and 1/4 cup of the olive oil to the bowl and toss well.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a large nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil until shimmering.
  • Season the fish with salt and pepper and add to the skillet skin side down.
  • Cook over moderately high heat, gently pressing with a spatula, until the skin is browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Flip the fillets and cook until the fish is white throughout, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  • Toss three-quarters each of the parsley and mint leaves with the panzanella and mound on plates or a platter.
  • Top with the fish, garnish with the remaining parsley and mint and serve immediately.