As a part of my vision for this blog, I would like to on occasion bring awareness to obscure and awesome things I have come to really enjoy in my life! I have a keen interest in different cultures and will try almost any type of food. Once in a while I will come across such a gem of an entree that it will become one of my 50 top picks!
Ackee & Saltfish makes the cut for my list every time! This food is one of the Official dishes of Jamaica and is traditionally prepared as a family Sunday breakfast! It is comprised of rehydrated salt-dried codfish (bacalao) that is cooked and combined with a very peculiarly fruit called the Ackee. Its pulp is yellow, has a slightly creamy "avacado" flavor and has the uncanny appearance of scrambled eggs when prepared. Ackee was first brought over to the West Indies from Africa on the Slave ships. It grows perfectly in the Caribbean climate and is extremely popular in Jamaica's cuisine. Another interesting factoid about Ackee is that it must be cooked before you can consume it, as it contains a type of noxious toxin when in raw form. Not to worry though, the Jamaicans know what they are doing and turn it into a truly sensational dish to be enjoyed by any appreciative connoisseur!
Ackee & Saltfish is typically served with Rice & Peas, fried Plantain and cabbage or callaloo (collared greens!)
This is one of my favorite foods and I highly recommend for anyone who likes a bit of spice and is looking for something different to try!
"Mi haf fi Nyaaam soooooo!" (I want to eat some right now!!) haha
~Hratch