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Trinidad Callaloo Soup also called calaloo or kallaloo is a thick green soup made from dasheen leaves, ochroes & coconut milk. It’s a must for a true Trini Sunday lunch.

In order to fully understand what I’ve written here you will need a brief introduction to Trinidadian (Trini) language

• Callaloo (noun) – a thick green soup made from dasheen leaves, ochroes & coconut milk
• Trini (noun) – a person from Trinidad
• Posse (noun) – your crew, your hommies, a group of friends
• Lime (noun) – a gathering, get together
• Soca – local music of Trinidad & Tobago

When I lived in Hungary I was part of a Trini posse. A group of 5 Trinidadians together with our Hungarian spouses and offspring. Every once in a while we would come together for a Trini lime. To celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and just to be Trini. It’s amazing how we even found each other in Budapest, a city of 1.7 million but we did.

Trinidad callaloo for a true Trini lime

Of course, as with any Trini lime there was always lots of food. Each Trini had their specialty that they would bring to the table and even though we wouldn’t always meet on a Sunday all the usual suspects of a typical Trini Sunday lunch were present. Stewed chicken, vegetable fried rice, macaroni pie, red beans, macaroni salad and of course callaloo. My contribution was always the callaloo and it was an absolute joy to prepare it for my friends. I would crank up some soca and dance my cares away as the sweet smell of ‘home’ filled my kitchen.

Isn’t it amazing how some foods, usually those with a strong emotional connection can conjure up strong feelings?

How to make Callaloo with spinach

This callaloo is a bit ‘different’. It isn’t made with dasheen leaves but frozen spinach.  My hubby suggested I call it spinalloo instead of callaloo but that just sounds wrong. Sorry hubby, callaloo soup it is. I did not have access to dasheen leaves in Hungary and neither do I here in Spain. I am becoming infamous for substitutions now I guess. Exhibit A – Mushroom Cottage Cheese Carbonara.

Trinidad Callaloo Soup Nutrition

Callaloo soup is such a healthy dish, full of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals.

If you have no access to dasheen leaves have no fear, try this version. It tastes the same and no-one, not even true Trinis will know your secret.

Really, true talk.

Here’s to cultural traditions and good food!

A question for fellow expats – How do you maintain cultural traditions?

Please share this post to give your family and friends a chance to try out the recipe too.

 

Recipe adapted from The Multi-Cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago & the Caribbean

Print Recipe

Trinidad Callaloo Soup

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Main

Cuisine: Caribbean

Ingredients

• 2 pounds frozen spinach
• 8 ochroes
• 1 pound pumpkin or butternut squash peeled and chopped
• 1 onion
• 4 stalks spring onions
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 2 cups hot water
• salt
• black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Wash and cut all vegetables into bite sized pieces.
• Put all ingredients into a large pot.
• Bring to the boil then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until everything is soft and cooked.
• Blitz in a blender until the desired consistency is reached.
• Season with salt and pepper.