Calalou de LĂ©gumes (Vegetable Calalou)
A hearty and nutritious vegetable stew, 'Calalou' is a staple in Seychellois households, made with a variety of local greens and simmered to a rich, comforting consistency. It's often served as a side dish or a light main.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Spinach(fresh, roughly chopped)
- 300 g Taro leaves (or other local greens like 'bred songe')(fresh, roughly chopped)
- 200 g Okra(trimmed and sliced)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 400 ml Coconut milk(full-fat)
- 200 ml Vegetable broth
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp Cooking oil
👨‍🍳 Instructions
- 1
Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Roughly chop the spinach and taro leaves. Trim and slice the okra. Chop the onion and tomatoes.
đź’ˇ Tip: Ensure greens are well-rinsed to remove any grit. - 2
Heat cooking oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 3
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Then, add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they start to break down, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the chopped spinach, taro leaves, and sliced okra. Pour in the coconut milk and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer.
đź’ˇ Tip: The greens will wilt down significantly. - 5
Cover the pot and let the calalou simmer gently for at least 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
đź’ˇ Tip: The okra will help to thicken the stew naturally. - 6
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot as a side dish with rice, fish, or meat, or as a light vegetarian main course.
đź’ˇ Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
đź’ˇ Pro Tips
- âś“If taro leaves are unavailable, use a mix of spinach and other leafy greens like kale or chard.
- âś“For a richer flavor, a small piece of dried fish or a ham hock can be added during simmering (remove before serving).
- âś“The consistency can be adjusted by adding more or less liquid.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like diced pumpkin or sweet potato for a heartier stew.
- A touch of curry powder can be added for a subtle spiced flavor.