Callaloo is often referred to as the 'National Dish of Trinidad.' It's a creole dish that is a common fixture. It is said to represent Trinidad not only because it's practically a dietary staple but because it's a mixture of such a myriad of ingredients, like the people of the island themselves. Callaloo is also a term used to refer to anything that's a hodgepodge of different parts.
And like meatloaf in the USA, everyone knows how to make it but everyone puts their own unique twist on it. I tasted lots of Callaloo during my time in Trinidad. Some of it I thought was awful, some I thought was really delicious. So if you try it the first time and aren't too keen, keep trying. Some callaloo is a thick as creamed spinach, some comes out more soupy. Sunday dinner, which is a required ritual in Trinidad, will always have callaloo.
I never developed my own spin on callaloo so I will present the recipe from the Naparima Girls' High School Diamond Jubilee Recipe Book. My dear friend, Petal, gave it to me early in my stay in Trinidad. She is a wonderful cook and as far as I am concerned, makes the best callaloo.
CALLALOO
about 12 dasheen leaves (spinach is an acceptible alternative)
1/4 lb salt beef or ham bone
1/4 lb salt pork
2 Cups coconut milk
1 Tbsp butter
1 green pepper
2 crabs
8 okras
2 sprigs of thyme
1 onion
4 chives
1 Cup boiling water
-Strip the stalks and midrib from leaves and wash well.
-Wash and cut up the okras and seasonings.
-Soak and cut up the meat.
-Scald and clean the crabs.
-Put all the ingredients except the butter, into a pot with the boiling water and simmer until soft.
-Swizzle and add the butter.
-Serves with rice.
Happy Trini Tuesday!
13 comments:
Mmmm sounds tasty!
Dang it now I am hungry!
mmmmm, I cant wait to try it out!
I am starving now.
I'll bet we could do an entire study on what different cultures call their leftover dish: meatloaf surprise, mystery meat casserole, etc!
But now I just feel like yelling,
"CALLALOOOOOOOOOO!"
Can you send me some?
Except for the pork, it sounds interesting : )
**grumble, rumble**
Yep, that's my tummy.
Oh...I LOVE okra. I might have to give this one a try. Happy Trini-Tuesday :)
Man, that sounds like soooooooo much work!
Will you make me some?
Lime by now i woulda tink yuh could make a serious callaloo...tsk tsk. Now u make me think of being home...my granny in NY makes a mean callaloo with frozen spinach. I'll have my own food post coming soon, i just got back from Europe.....
mmmm....okra...yummmmm...
Sounds lovely. And callaloo is just a good word to know. :)
Sounds wonderful!!!
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