Ackee and Saltfish

Jamaica''s national dish — creamy ackee fruit sautéed with salted cod.

Ingredients

• 1 can ackee, drained
• 1/2 lb salt cod, soaked overnight and flaked
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 scotch bonnet, minced (optional)
• 2 scallions, sliced
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp oil

Method

1. Soak salt cod overnight in water (change water 2-3 times to remove excess salt). Boil 15 min, drain, flake.

2. Sauté onion, tomato, scotch bonnet, thyme in oil 3 min.

3. Add flaked saltfish, cook 3 min.

4. Gently fold in ackee (it''s delicate — don''t stir aggressively). Cook 2 min.

5. Serve with fried dumplings, breadfruit, or hard dough bread.

What You're Practicing

• Ackee has a creamy, egg-like texture — it''s a fruit that cooks like a vegetable.
• Soaking the salt cod overnight is essential to remove excess salt.