Crab Callaloo Recipe

Some people in Trinidad and Tobago believe that the way for a woman to catch a husband is too feed him her best callaloo. This crab callaloo variation features crabmeat, a common and tasty addition, and it is often served after the road marches.

Crab Callaloo Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup coconut milk (not sweetened coconut cream)
• 1/2 pound smoked ham, diced, or 1 small ham hock
• 2 1/2 cups washed, coarsely chopped, firmly packed callaloo (dasheen), or substitute spinach leaves
• 1 cup sliced okra
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Congo pepper (habanero), seeds and stem removed, minced
• 1 pound cooked crabmeat, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the butter in a large saucepan and saute the onion, celery, and garlic for 2 or 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock, coconut milk and ham and bring to a boil. Add the callaloo or spinach, the okra, thyme, black pepper, and Congo pepper.
2. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for about 50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the callaloo is thoroughly cooked.
3. Whisk the soup until very smooth, or puree it in small batches in a blender. Add the crabmeat and heat thoroughly. Add the butter, swizzled over the top, and taste for salt.