Callaloo

[Tulip]

This is my official callaloo thread where I hope I can get all my questions answered.

Since I am well aware brevity is not one of my strengths, I’m going to try to give the short version. I first tried callaloo in Jamaica, wondered why we were having collard greens for breakfast, loved them, was ridiculed for wanting them for dinner, and found a lady to cook them for me every evening while I was there.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Question 1:</span> What is the name you would use when looking for them in the store? “Callaloo” got me nowhere. I could not even get folks to agree on whether it was greens or a soup with spinach and crab. “Dasheen leaves” and “taro leaves” eventually landed me with the only fresh batch I have ever bought. Any other names? Maybe I just don’t know what to ask for.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Question 2:</span> My friend’s mother used to grow them in her garden, but she doesn’t cook with any salt at all because she has high blood pressure. I understand that and I say good for her. I needed more seasoning, but couldn’t fix my lips to say it. How do you cook yours? You can keep it simple or make it complex, but just give me an idea of how long to cook them, how much liquid, waht you season yours with, etc?

I’d appreciate the help if you are willing to have the patience to work with me on this.

[Pepper]

Re: Callaloo

Hey Tulip,
I cook callaloo for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I don't consider it a breakfast only dish.

If you don't mind sharing, what part of the world are you posting from? Where did you go to find callaloo? I am in south florida and usually go to one of many west indian grocery stores to purchase callaloo. If you are in an area with a minimal number of west indians, you can plant your own when weather permits. It grows really easy...not even I can kill it.

Its a spinach variety, I think I read on here that new zealand spinach is a close subsitute. Don't know what the proper agricultural name for callaloo is though.

How do I cook it? Simple and easy.
Olive oil
sautee onions
add callaloo
spinkle salt
simmer maybe 10 min or till desired tenderness
Done.

[loops]

Re: Callaloo

the agricultural name for callaloo is amaranth i believe. but there are many kinds of amaranth....some grown just for the flower.

[Pepper]

Re: Callaloo

Thanks Loops.

No wonder I can't kill calalloo, its considered a weed.

An intrusive and noxious weed, Amaranth or Rough Pigweed is a common name for the Amaranthaceae (also commonly known as the Pigweed family), a family of herbs, trees, and vines of warm regions, especially in the Americas and Africa. The genus Amaranthus includes several widely distributed species called amaranths that are characterized by a lasting red pigment in the stems and leaves. They were a poetic symbol of immortality in the time of ancient Greece.

Amaranthus also includes such weeds as the Green Amaranth, Amaranth retroflexus, and various species commonly called tumbleweed and pigweed, as well as several cultivated plants e.g., Love-Lies-Bleeding, or Tassel Flower, and Joseph's Coat. Other ornamentals in the family are the Globe Amaranth (genus Gomphrenia), sometimes called Bachelor's Button, and the Cockscomb (Celosia), both originally tropical annuals. They can be preserved dry and are used in everlasting bouquets.
Amaranth is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Caryophyllales.

[Pepper]

Re: Callaloo

Amaranthus, collectively known as amaranth, is a cosmopolitan genus of herbs. Approximately 60 species are recognized, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple and red to gold. Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus Celosia.

Although several species are often considered weeds, people around the world value amaranths as leaf vegetables, cereals, and ornamentals.

The word comes from the Greek amarantos or the &quot;one that does not wither,&quot; or the never-fading (flower).

Wiki

[tuffstuff]

Re: Callaloo

Mi did look it up too afta Dr. Oz say is one of the best source of Ca

[Ja. Jewel]

Re: Callaloo

My method of cooking: Saute in a little olive oil: garlic, onion, sweet pepper &amp; scotch bonnet, all chopped fine for a minute or two, then add chopped callaloo, top with a few pats of butter, pepper &amp; salt....reduce heat, cover &amp; steam till done, maybe 15 min.....saltfish can be added when you first saute all the seasoning veg....oops, forgot the thyme!...also, you can add chopped tomato too for a little color &amp; flavor.

[Tulip]

Re: Callaloo

Thanks Pepper.

I live in Atlanta. I bought it from the Spring Road Farmer's Market which is in Cobb County. It did seem a little tender like spinach before I washed and chopped it, but the lady in JA did cook mine a while so I tried to cook mine a while too. It is not like I thought I was the only one she was only cooking for, but I just wasn't sure what this taste delight was about. LOL. She was not happy with my not wanting what I guess I would call fried dumplings with it, but we sorted it out.




<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pepper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Tulip,
I cook callaloo for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I don't consider it a breakfast only dish.

If you don't mind sharing, what part of the world are you posting from? Where did you go to find callaloo? I am in south florida and usually go to one of many west indian grocery stores to purchase callaloo. If you are in an area with a minimal number of west indians, you can plant your own when weather permits. It grows really easy...not even I can kill it.

Its a spinach variety, I think I read on here that new zealand spinach is a close subsitute. Don't know what the proper agricultural name for callaloo is though.

How do I cook it? Simple and easy.
Olive oil
sautee onions
add callaloo
spinkle salt
simmer maybe 10 min or till desired tenderness
Done. </div></div>

[tuffstuff]

Re: Callaloo

u want mi ship cupple bag to u?

[tuffstuff]

Re: Callaloo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ja. Jewel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My method of cooking: Saute in a little olive oil: garlic, onion, sweet pepper &amp; scotch bonnet, all chopped fine for a minute or two, then add chopped callaloo, top with a few pats of butter, pepper &amp; salt....reduce heat, cover &amp; steam till done, maybe 15 min.....saltfish can be added when you first saute all the seasoning veg....oops, forgot the thyme!...also, you can add chopped tomato too for a little color &amp; flavor. </div></div>
<span style="text-decoration: line-through">
Mi</span> ppl mi know dont use butta, but <span style="text-decoration: line-through">mi</span> them put ketchup inna it sometimes too

[loops]

Re: Callaloo

grossssssssssssssss to the ketchup

[Tulip]

Re: Callaloo

Thanks Pepper.

I live in Atlanta. The callaloo green I got from the grocery store was &quot;tender and cook down&quot; fast like spinach.

I know we are going to be able to work this thing out about because I really did love it.



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pepper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Tulip,
I cook callaloo for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I don't consider it a breakfast only dish.

If you don't mind sharing, what part of the world are you posting from? Where did you go to find callaloo? I am in south florida and usually go to one of many west indian grocery stores to purchase callaloo. If you are in an area with a minimal number of west indians, you can plant your own when weather permits. It grows really easy...not even I can kill it.

Its a spinach variety, I think I read on here that new zealand spinach is a close subsitute. Don't know what the proper agricultural name for callaloo is though.

How do I cook it? Simple and easy.
Olive oil
sautee onions
add callaloo
spinkle salt
simmer maybe 10 min or till desired tenderness
Done. </div></div>

[tuffstuff]

Re: Callaloo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: loops</div><div class="ubbcode-body">grossssssssssssssss to the ketchup </div></div>

ketchup taste good wid evryting- dont u put tomatis inna di ilaloo?? Gwey u nuh know good food. I would draw the line on condimenting up mi tuna widdit tho (mi cousin do dat *bleck*).

[Tulip]

Re: Callaloo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tuffstuff</div><div class="ubbcode-body">u want mi ship cupple bag to u? </div></div>

Hell yeah!

[tuffstuff]

Re: Callaloo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tulip</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Pepper.

I live in Atlanta. The callaloo green I got from the grocery store was &quot;tender and cook down&quot; fast like spinach.
. </div></div> [/quote]


oh so u fine it up there. Of course Atlanta wi have it no problem- nuff Jcans up there. U lucky mi wassa go chawge u some good good price fi ship u cupple pack. *ixnay di spring va-cay *