Dominica Callaloo Soup
A hearty and flavorful soup, Callaloo is Dominica's national dish. It's made from dasheen (taro) or tannia leaves, often enriched with coconut milk, local crab, or smoked meats, and seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices. This nourishing dish embodies the warmth and culinary heritage of Dominica.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Young dasheen or tannia leaves(or spinach)
- 1 lb Smoked or salted meat(optional, boiled separately)
- 3 large Crab(cleaned and prepared, optional)
- 1 cup Coconut milk
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 1 tbsp Celery(chopped)
- 4 blades Chives(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tbsp Thyme(chopped)
- 1 Hot pepper(to taste)
- 3 tbsp Oil
- 5 cups Water
- 2 tbsp Salt(to taste)
- 1 tbsp Black pepper(to taste)
- 1.5 tbsp Turmeric
- 10 small Dumplings(optional, made from flour, salt, and water)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
If using salted or smoked meat, boil it separately in water until tender and tenderize. Discard the boiling water. If using crab, clean and prepare them.
- 2
Wash and peel the outer skin from the dasheen or tannia leaves. Chop the leaves finely.
- 3
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion, celery, chives, and minced garlic for about 3 minutes until fragrant.
- 4
Pour in the coconut milk and 5 cups of water. Add the chopped dasheen or tannia leaves (or spinach). If using crab, add them now.
- 5
Use an immersion blender to pulse the mixture in the pot for about 1 minute until the leaves are partially blended. Add the chopped thyme, hot pepper, turmeric, salt, and black pepper.
- 6
Add the pre-boiled salted or smoked meat (if using) and the dumplings (if using). Stir well.
- 7
Cover the pot and let the soup simmer over low heat for at least 30-40 minutes, or until the provisions (if added) and dumplings are cooked through. Stir occasionally.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother soup, you can blend it further after simmering.
- ✓If fresh dasheen or tannia leaves are unavailable, spinach can be used as a substitute.
- ✓Provisions like yams, green bananas, or pumpkin can be added to make the soup more hearty.
🔄 Variations
- Crab Callaloo: Incorporate cleaned crab for a richer flavor.
- Vegetarian Callaloo: Omit the meat and crab for a delicious vegetarian option.