soupTrinidad & Tobago

Callaloo

Name: Callaloo
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Trinidad & Tobago
Ingredients: 600 g Taro leaves or spinach; 250 g Okra; 400 ml Coconut milk; 1 piece Onion; 5 cloves Garlic; 300 g Pumpkin; 1 piece Scotch bonnet; 4 sprigs Thyme; 40 g Butter; To taste Salt and pepper

Callaloo is a classic Trinidad & Tobago soup that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Taro leaves or spinach, Okra, Coconut milk, Onion, Garlic, Pumpkin, Scotch bonnet, Thyme, Butter and Salt and pepper, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. The cooking process allows natural aromas to develop, ensuring each portion is both hearty and flavorful.

Serve hot alongside fresh bread, steamed grains, or a crisp seasonal salad for a well-rounded dining experience.

If you enjoy authentic Trinidad & Tobago cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for A Simple Tomato Soup.

Difficulty: easyPrep: 25 minCook: 55 minServes 6

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Ingredients

Taro leaves or spinach600 g
Okra250 g
Coconut milk400 ml
Onion1 piece
Garlic5 cloves
Pumpkin300 g
Scotch bonnet1 piece
Thyme4 sprigs
Butter40 g
Salt and pepperTo taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

6 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1🔪 Prep

Wash the leaves, strip the tough stems and chop them coarsely.

Step 2🍳 Fry

Fry the onion and garlic in butter until soft.

Step 3

Add the leaves, okra, pumpkin, thyme and the whole scotch bonnet, and cover with water two fingers above.

Step 4🍲 Simmer

Simmer forty minutes covered. No less: raw taro leaves burn the mouth.

Step 5

Remove the chilli and thyme, add the coconut milk and warm it five minutes without boiling.

Step 6

Break the soup down with a swizzle stick or a masher to a thick but not perfectly smooth purée.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Callaloo carries a rich culinary tradition rooted in regional home cooking. Developed over generations, the recipe highlights wholesome local ingredients prepared with time-honored kitchen techniques.

Dietary Substitutions

For a richer sauce, replace a portion of the water with homemade bone broth, vegetable stock, or a splash of dry wine or red wine vinegar to cut through richness.

Chef Technique Tips

Take the time to thoroughly sear and brown taro leaves or spinach in batches before adding the braising liquid. The caramelized fond deposited on the bottom of the pot dissolves into the stew, providing depth and body that cannot be rushed.

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