Callaloo soup is immensely popular in Saint Lucia, as well as many other Caribbean countries. A wonderfully tasty “comfort food”, you will find callaloo soup on the menu in many restaurants, as well as being served at home, prepared from scratch. There are two main ingredients. One is the Caribbean strain of greens that we in the West would call spinach – callaloo leaves. The other is okra – or “okro” as it is often called in the Caribbean.
(Photo Attributed to Author: tak.wing)
Okro was introduced to Saint Lucia, as well as many other isles in the region, centuries ago by Africans, where it has been indigenous for millennia. Since Africans call the vegetable “okro”, that name has stuck with it where it wound up being transplanted.
There are many variations on this delightful soup, mostly having to do with what else goes into it. Always it is mainly callaloo and okro, but it can have either meat or seafood in it as well. Garnishes will differ, also. Some like avocado slices with it, some prefer to add various degrees of hot peppers. Some people put slices of uncooked tomatoes in each serving.
This recipe is a version traditional to Saint Lucia, with crab meat, corned beef, and hot peppers. The peppers are optional, if you don’t like hot, spicy foods.
Saint Lucian Callaloo Soup Recipe-
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