As a child, I recall walking into the kitchen and seeing a large pan overflowing with greens. Chopped greens with onions, garlic, and pepper frying in an open pan while mom was in her usual cooking frenzy dashing across the kitchen like a pinball — back and forth between the oven, fridge, cabinets, and sink.
This was my first introduction to what I now know as Jamaican Callaloo. It wasn’t until many, many years later that I would find out that “callaloo” has another name – “Chinese spinach” – and that it’s a type of amaranth plant that’s been consumed for thousands of years.
A Green Leafy Plant
Callaloo is a green leafy plant that has been culturally consumed in the West Indies, namely Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad, etc. Here in America, as it grows with weed-like speed and rapidity, it’s usually treated as a weed and is readily killed when appearing in gardens and farms across the country.
Seeds from Jamaica
Perhaps it was 10 years ago when my mother scattered a few seeds from Jamaica across the yard, and since then, it’s been growing aggressively on our property. It thrives in semi-dry climates.
Jamaicans say that the “plant has a mind of its own,” and sometimes doesn’t grow for a season or two before reemerging with renewed force and abundance. Last year during heavy summer rains, it was scarce here in New York. But this year, with moderate to low rains, we reaped plenty.
How I Cook Jamaican Callaloo
Jamaican callaloo is really delicious stuff! Here’s how I like to cook callalloo :
- Harvest the callaloo when it’s about 12-inches high, with tender leaves and stems.
- Thoroughly — and I mean thoroughly! — wash the leaves. There will be sand and dirt particles on them, so really take the time to do this well.
- Chop the stems and leaves up coarsely. Some people like to use only the leaves, but I use everything.
- Chop up 1 or 2 large onions and put to fry on medium heat with extra virgin olive oil.
- Add callaloo and fry for about 10 minutes until soft and juicy.
- Add pepper, salt, garlic to taste.
Callaloo is more or less like spinach, though people will swear that it’s totally different. It does have a distinct taste and is very savory. It’s not as sharp as spinach, but with more creamy notes. It’s smoother and rounder in taste, than spinach. And personally, I like to spice it up with some serious pepper.
Health Benefits of Jamaican Callaloo
Here are the principal health benefits of Jamaican Callaloo.
- It’s great for your immune system.
- High in iron (2x the amount in broccoli)
- High in calcium (4x the amount in broccoli)
- Vitamin C
- Super Rich in antioxidants
Leaf Jamaican vegetables are typically low in calories, low in fat, high in protein per calorie, high in dietary fiber, high in iron and calcium, and very high in photochemical such as vitamin C, vitamin A, lute in and folic acid. Though the Jamaican callaloo Jamaican plant itself does not have much medicinal uses the food does contain several vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A, B and C, and is high in protein, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid, amino acids, arginine, cystine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, glycine, praline, serine and tyrosine. – Get Jamaica
David Askaripour, a prominent blogger based in New York, writes on the subject of natural healing among other things. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Television Talk Shows, books and local news channels.
Jamaica News says
Jamaican Callaloo is a Caribbean popular dish. Sometimes, we call kallaloo also. Most of the Jamaican prefer this dish as a breakfast. It is widely known throughout the Caribbean region. It’s always good for health.
Michelle border says
I usually eat that Jamaican callaloo every other day, I usually fried it with onions and I cut some meat then eat it with plantain or rice…
Carlos L Chung says
look up a recipe for pepper pot soup
Michelle border says
I eat that type of leaf every single day with plantain,,, it’s very good. I love it
patty says
Just bought these greens after seeing it at a farm stand here in florida. was curious to its taste. so, cooked a bunch with a slice of bacon, onions, garlic, tyme, oregano , salt and black pepper. cooked in few minutes. It is so delicious. I will make it again with white beans, chirrizo, onions, etc and chicken broth for a delicious soup. Its’ mild taste and no bitterness makes it a go to for me. yummmm.didn’t try the stems yet but will do.
Paulette Didato says
I need to know if Callaloo is a good source of Vitamin K