Callaloo the perfect compliment

Callaloo the perfect compliment

Ever heard of callaloo? It’s a green leafy vegetable that belongs to the amaranth family of plants and is common in the Caribbean, where it’s also called water spinach.  Callaloo is a ‘super food’ as it contains 4 times the amount of calcium found in broccoli and twice the iron.  It also has vitamin C for boosting up your immune system, B vitamins for good mood and vitality and vitamin A, which is a great antioxidant.

Chopped and sautéed in oil or steamed with a pinch of salt, pepper, onion and garlic, makes callaloo a great compliment to any meal. For those who prefer extra heat, a hot scotch bonnet pepper whole is added to the recipe.  It is also fantastic when mixed with salted cod, mackerel and other sea foods.

For Jamaicans callaloo is a part of any meal beginning with a cooked breakfast of ackee and slices of fried breadfruit.  For lunch callaloo is the vegetarian alternative to a beef patty, or as a warm bowl of soup, or a cool smoothie.  Callaloo fritters are popular at evening parties and side dish at dinner.

Callaloo is one of those vegetables that’s hard to avoid in Jamaica and shouldn’t be. Bon appétit!

Also visit our art gallery: https://www.experiencejamaique.com/product_gallery

August 2019