Callaloo Soup
A hearty and nutritious soup made from callaloo leaves (dasheen leaves), often enriched with provisions, coconut milk, and sometimes meat or seafood.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 bundles Callaloo leaves (Dasheen leaves)(about 12 oz, washed, tough stems removed, chopped)
- 12 cups Water
- 12 ozs Salted meat (beef or pigtail)(cut into pieces, soaked if very salty)
- 1 lb Tannia (or other provisions like yam, dasheen, cassava)(peeled and cubed)
- 2 medium Potatoes(white or sweet, peeled and cubed)
- 0.5 cup Onion(chopped)
- 1 tsp Garlic(minced)
- 0.5 cup Chives(chopped)
- 2 cups Coconut milk
- 0.5 tsp All-purpose seasoning
- 0.25 tsp Pepper
- 1 tbsp Salt(or to taste)
- Dumplings(optional, prepared separately)
- 1 tbsp Butter(optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
If using salted meat, soak it in water for 30-60 minutes to reduce saltiness, then drain. Boil the salted meat in 12 cups of water for about 30 minutes until tender.
- 2
Add the chopped callaloo leaves, cubedᲨtannias (or other provisions), and potatoes to the pot with the meat. Bring to a boil.
- 3
Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, chives, all-purpose seasoning, and pepper. Stir well.
- 4
Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 45-60 minutes, or until the provisions are tender.
- 5
Stir in the coconut milk and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If using dumplings, add them during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- 6
Simmer for another 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If desired, stir in butter just before serving.
- 7
Serve hot. Callaloo soup is often served as a complete meal.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother soup, you can blend a portion of the cooked ingredients before returning them to the pot.
- ✓If fresh callaloo leaves are unavailable, spinach or Swiss chard can be used as a substitute.
- ✓The soup tastes even better the next day after reheating.
🔄 Variations
- Add crab meat or other seafood for a richer flavor.
- Use different combinations of provisions like yam, eddoes, or cassava.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding more vegetables.