Trinidadian Pumpkin Food

CALLALOO (TRINIDAD)

Steps:

• Put salted pork pieces in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Drain off this water. Repeat this process to draw off the excess salt from the salted meat.
• Heat the oil in a large pot and add the onion, garlic, celery and fresh herbs. Sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add okras, pumpkin and dasheen leaves and sauté for another minute or so. Add the coconut milk and stock or water, crab and hot pepper.
• Keep an eye on that hot pepper use one that is not bruised. You DO NOT want that pepper to burst while cooking. The heat from the burst pepper will overpower the other flavours.
• Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 35 minutes.
• Taste and add salt if needed.
• Remove hot pepper and crab or meat, and swizzle the callaloo, or put in a blender or you can use an immersion type blender, and beat until smooth. Return the crab or meat pieces to the soup. Add the cooking margarine or butter. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Stir well.
• Serve hot as a soup on it's own or as a side dish.

TRINIDADIAN PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Put oil in a large non stick pan over med-hi heat. When hot add onion; stir fry until lightly browned. Add garlic, chile, thyme and cilantro; stir for a few seconds until the garlic is golden. Add squash and stir. Add 3 tbsp water, cover, turn heat to low and cook for 40-45 minutes or until squash is tender. Uncover, add salt and sugar, stir gently mashing the squash lightly. Serve hot.