Callaloo is considered our [Trinidad] national dish by many. A statement quite debatable since we, our Twin Island Republic, boasts of a wide range of scrumptious dishes! In my version of callaloo, spinach, ochroes, carrot, pumpkin and fresh herbs are simmered in coconut milk. The pumpkin and carrots compliment the spinach and lend sweetness to the dish. The ochroes add smoothness and the coconut milk provides unrivaled depth of flavor and creaminess. The fresh herbs and green seasoning contribute even more caribbean flavor to the callaloo. Soulfood at its best.
2cupsfresh coconut milk + 2 cups wateror more if you want more liquid
salt and pepperI used 3 tsps Himalayan Salt salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1habanero pepper and 2 pimento peppers
1 - 2lbscrabchicken, beef or prepared salted meat, optional
Instructions
In a saucepan over low heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, add meat or seafood if you are using, pumpkin, carrots, ochroes, spinach/dasheen bush bhagee(taro leaf), scallions, celery, onion, thyme, garlic, green seasoning and the habanero and pimento peppers.
Add coconut milk to pan, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Cover and let simmer (low heat) for about an hour or until all ingredients are cooked and soft, stirring every 10-15 minutes to mix and prevent sticking to the bottom.
When finished, remove habanero pepper (being careful not to burst it) and (meat or seafood if using) and swizzle using a swizzle stick (also called dhal ghutney in Trinidad) to break up chunks.
You may also use a food processor or blender or hand immersion blender for a finer, smoother consistency. I use the swizzle stick because the end result has texture which I like, plus less clean up. Sometimes, if you cook it long enough there is no need to swizzle.
Return meat or crab back into the pot (if using) and serve hot over rice. Heat lovers can break the hot pepper on their plate and ooh and aaah your way to the last grain of rice.