callaloo

CWR's Trinidad Callaloo

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 (10 oz) packages of frozen chopped spinach

1 lb pumpkin (squash or calabaza), cubed
1/2 lb ochro, sliced in 1 inch pieces or use pre cut frozen ochro
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
4-5 scallions, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 bunch thyme (whole or chopped finely)
6 large garlic cloves, minced
2 cups coconut milk
salt and pepper ( I used 3 tsps salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper)
1 habanero pepper

Optional- 1 lb chicken, beef, crab or prepared salted meat etc. 



Assemble ingredients...note that the spinach is already chopped, the ochroes cut and the pumpkin already peeled and sliced....my grocery didn't disappoint today!!

Wash and chop scallions, onions, slice carrots, mince garlic. You can finely chop the thyme or place the entire bunch whole in the pot....just remove the stems after cooking....if using fresh coconut milk(which I highly recommend) prepare that too...otherwise use the canned milk choosing a brand without preservatives....for my detailed instructions on how to make coconut milk, Click here

In a saucepan over low heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add pumpkin, carrots, ochroes, spinach, scallions, onion, thyme and garlic.....and habanero pepper....

add coconut milk...salt to taste and freshly ground black pepper.....

This is what the yumminess looks like with chicken wings....

Cover and let simmer for 60-90 minutes until all ingredients are cooked and soft....turning every 15-20 minutes to mix and prevent sticking to the bottom....

When finished, remove habanero pepper (being careful not to burst it) and (meat 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....



....[singing] I am strong to the finish because I eats me spinach, I am Popeye the Sailor Man......I'm one tough Gazookus, which hates all Palookas, wot ain't on the up and square. I biffs 'em and buffs 'em and always out roughs 'em, but none of 'em gets nowhere. If anyone dares to risk my "Fisk", it's "Boff" an' it's "Wham" un'erstan'? So keep "Good Be-hav-or" That's your one life saver with Popeye the Sailor Man!! Beep, Beep!!

Now go cook, cook!!!