Ackee & Saltfish
>> Saturday, 16 February 2008
Ackee & Saltfish is Jamaica's national dish, though I hear it is getting some serious competition from the much loved rice and peas and curried goat. But that's a story for another time, today I want to talk about how tasty ackee is.
Ackee is currently in season and I am enjoying the bounty. My friend Paula brought me 3 lbs of fresh ackee last week and naturally that meant that I'd be making ackee and saltfish. Gosh, I know those of you Caribbean people living abroad will be envious :)
Ackee tastes and looks like scrambled eggs, it's creamy when cooked with natural notes of sweetness that contrasts well with the saltiness of the saltfish, sauteed with onions, tomatoes, sweet, hot & black peppers and herbs. This is a dish that is much sought after at home and abroad.
The product of an evergreen tree, the fruit is ripe and ready for picking when it turns a bright red-orange and bursts open. You can read more about ackee here. And you can read this week's column here.
This past Thursday was Valentine's day and since I only post on Saturdays, I am sending all my love to you today. And since this is a food blog, I am dedicating the tomato rose that garnishes the ackee and saltfish to you, yes, I made it myself :)
I am also the lucky recipient of The Spreader of Love Award and so I want to share that award with each and every one of you, yes, YOU that's reading this blog right now :) So be sure to wear it proudly on your blog. I'd like to thank sincerely, my dear friend, Vi over at East Meets West Kitchen for bestowing me with this award. Thank you!
This week over at Forgive Me My Nonsense... let's pay more attention to what's happening around us, you never can tell when and where inspiration will show up.
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104 comments:
I have never tried Ackee, but I love saltfish. Happy Belated Valentine's Day. <3
I don't think I know about Ackee but looks gorgeous!! May be we call it in different name in India, not sure. Dish looks like a perfect V day treat with all the pinky stuff!:))
Enjoy your award, spread the love. Hugs to you Cynthia.
I have learned of yet another new ingredient today Cynthia :D
Cyntyhia, Thanks for sharing the info on an unknown fruit to us all.
It looks very cute :-)
Congratulations about the award, Cheers!
www.zaiqa.net
This fruit looks so beautiful. It's like a different world over the ocean and it seems that we are missing the best things. Congratulations on the award. You deserve it.
your ackee photos are beautiful!
I love ackee, with saltfish, with festival, in patties...except I tend only to get it when I am in Jamaica! Which I might be next week, so I'll hang on to the cravings.
this is a new fruit for me...and your snaps are just soooooooooo good! i need to learn a lot from you:)
hey , BTW, congrats on the award
I have heard of but never tried Ackee. I need a trip soon to try this and get some curried goat! Cant wait till you blog about that. Happy belated Valentines Day.
I managed to find a very short Swedish description of Ackee, and yes, it said "looks like scrambled eggs but with a unique taste". I also found that tinned Ackee can be purchased in Stockholm.
Then I read the Wikipedia article which mentioned about the poison. Sounds like a very dangerous fruit - if you don't know how to take care of it in the right way.
Ackee looks very similar to what we call Kodukapuli (Monkeypod, Manila Tamarind). Tastes unique.
Like the International student exchange programs, we should have one international blogger exchange programs too...I will take you to India with a long stay in Kerala and you can take me to ur place :D Howzzat ?? :)))
Shn
Cynthia,
I had no idea Ackee is a fruit, and pretty one at that. Everytime I'd hear the line "Ackee Rice and Salt Fish are nice" in the song Jamaican Farewell, I'd think it's a variety of rice! Thanks for the pictures - one always learns something new in the food blogdom.
Mamatha
How exotic! It looks gorgeous. Don't know if I've heard of this before but if I did, it must have been on your blog!
I never knew what ackee was or looked like. Happy V-day as well.
I always seem to learn something new from your blog - this time it's ackee. Looked at the wikipedia link, it's a complex fruit! Someday I'll have to find a way to taste it - alas, can't have the ackee with saltfish being vegetarian ..
Beautiful photos and Lovely tomato rose :)
I've never tried Ackee & saltfish but I have hear about it and seen it at the Jamaican restaurants in my neighborhood. Your pictures are gorgeous as usual.
Ackee is new to me too....it's avaiable here but not tried...yet.
As always, the presentation is immaculate.
Can i get a bouquet of those buds? is the fruit edible raw?
Pics are simply gorgeous as always! Congratulations on a most deserved award... woo hoo!
Beautiful pictures. I haven't seen Ackee in stores around here. I'll like to taste it.
Ackee looks beautiful, never seen it I don't think. Salt fish is one I have been dying to get my hands on :)
A funny fruit! That saltfish dish looks scrumptious! I'd love to be able to buy fresh ackee here... Unfortunately, we can only buy it canned and it's extremely expensive!
Cheers,
Rosa
Lovely rose...appreciate your efforts to have done such a perfect one...
Have never seen, heard of this!
Thanks for letting us know about this wonderful fruit..As mishmash said, I will take you to Dubai, will you take me there..........??? :D
I never tried Ackee but my first reaction was 'they look like aliens!' haha. Looks like big round eyes looking at you. Maybe it's just my imagination!
I'm intrigued. I would love to try them one day! Great pictures and all! :-)
Very unusual looking fruit, loved the rose Cynthia
wow--that looks amazing! I have never heard of ackee, either. Will have to come visit :)
And I am introduced to something new yet again...Sounds intriguing. I know if I ever go on a vacation to that part of the world, I'm bringing a list of things to try...
Cynthia, your blog is just wonderful! I just found it, but will be returning here often. I had never before heard of ackee, what an interesting looking fruit!
Greetings,
Tiina
Bwoy Cynthia dat look soooooo good! :)
Oh, what a beautiful dish! Waaah—I want some right now. The rose is simply wonderful, too. Happy late V-Day.
Ackee, again something I've never heard of, thanks for enlightning those of us, who just learned about a new food! and a pretty one at that!
Never seen or heard about Ackee before. Interesting!
Hmmm....this looks weird to me....some eyes pooping out of some sort. But from your description, it sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Everytime you post something I learned something. I have no idea that fruit existed at all! This looks so good.
Hey there! That little fruit, I think it grows here, too, as a landscape tree, small one but those trifoil fruits certainly look right. I'll go foraging along the streets soon to see if they are getting ripe.
I love your blog! You really are a Spreader of Love. I came here all down and you picked me right up. Cheers!
ackee looks rather cool!
Hi Cynthia, wow I've never heard of Ackee before, it's such a beautiful fruit and I'm surprised how it tastes like egg. I would really love to try it one day and congrats on your award!
I have to admit my ignorance here!! I have never seen or tried ackee before. Seeing the picture reminded me of the Halloween parties we'd have as young kids. My mum would decorate lychees with olives inside to give the impression of eyeballs - that was my first thought. I am really intrigued though about the fruit.
And here I was thinking that I knew all my fruits! Now you've got me curious, and I'm quite sure I can't find the fruit in Malaysia.
What stunning photo's and I haven't heard of Ackee before until now but it sure looks gorgeous Cynthia :D
Congratulations on your award and how sweet of you to share it with us all! :D
Rosie x
Hi Cynthia,
I just discovered your blog and I can tell that it will make for some interesting and educational reading! I've not heard of Ackee, but you did a great job with it! I'll be on the lookout. I wonder if you can find it somewhere around here in California?
Wow, it looks so beautiful! I can't imagine how good it would taste!
I love coming here because even though I might know of an ingredient, it;s hard to find what it smells/tastes like and I know you will have the answer for me. The dish looks perfect!
Hi Cynthia,
I'm intrigued by this Ackee, I'd love to try it someday.:)
And it looks cute too..
Oh i am in love with Ackee. They look so cute. Like some cute animal with three eyes :-)
I've never heard or tasted this Ackee.
Love the look of the dish.
Wow, that is beautiful! I am going to see if I can find this dish when Roberto and I go to Jamaica for our honeymoon in April - 2 months away!!! :)
Dear Cynthia...
I'm back from Home!
Thanks for being so supportive and visit my blog!
The Ackee looks so special, never seen in Malaysia before!
Your blog really give me "Ummmphh", so informative and lovely!
Wish you have a great and lovely in the year of RAT!
Wow, what a pretty looking food. It sounds tasty too.
"those of you Caribbean people living abroad will be envious"...not only caribbean people Cynthia, I am also envious :D. I don't have any idea how it tastes..but it looks absolutely gorgeous. I would love to try this sometime..
Cynthia, I want this now!! Unfortunately I doubt ackee is available in the frozen North East of England. I do love saltfish though. Errm, can you send me some please? :o)
Cheers
David
This is the first that I have heard of Ackee. It sounds pretty interesting. Nice photos.
Cynthia- I never heard of Ackee before.. Thanks to food blogging we get to know so many new things and Congratulations for the award dear.
Siri
I have never had this before...do you think I will be able to try then when I am at Barbados???
Cynthia, twice I visited Jamaica, and could not carry ackee home (illegal then even in cans). Could not purchase it anywhere here.
Seeing it in your awesome photos makes me remember that longing craving I had leaving Jamaica nearly 20 years ago :)
Hi cynthia
was caught up in the office work so could not visit your site for a long time..when ever i can, i do visit your posts. This national food display of ackee and saltfish looks amazing and you pictures are perfect. Will try to emulate the decor on what is availbale here for creativity !
Thanks Cynthia for the wonderful info about the unknown fruit.The pics are great.I am sure it tasted delicious too :)
I've only ever had ackee twice - and it was with saltfish! As you say, it's a wonderful combination, and being reminded of it makes me want it again!
i've never seen this fruit in my life.;they look divine!! thanks cynthia for sharing!!
Ooh, this looks wonderful! I am feeling the "love" with this dish. Looks filling but not too heavy!
That presentation is fantastic. I love it!
Beautiful! Never had ackee but looking at your photo's makes me want to try it!
You always introduce us to some unique fruits Cynthia.. looks beautiful and thanks for that lovely tomato rose. I can't believe that this fruit tastes like scrambled eggs!
the ackee looks sooo gorgeous!! n congrats on the award!! :)
First, congrats on a well-deserved award. You're are always so supportive with your posts and emails. I so appreciate all you do, give, and share. Thanks! And, like many others - another new ingredient for me. Very cool!
never seen that ackee cynthia ,looks beautifulll
Hi -- Lovely site. Just one comment: ackee has never tasted like scrambled eggs no matter how its prepared. I'm not even sure it looks like scrambled eggs, and I've been eating it all my life.
This analogy is part of a practice that one finds way too often in Caribbean contexts. That is, the attempt to "make the strange familiar" by attaching it to something North Americans are familiar with only undermines our ability to speak about Caribbean realities on our terms. Ackee is ackee - it has a mild flavor, a slightly bitter, stainy undertone, paired best with more intensely flavoured meats like salted (corned) pork or salted codfish.
I've never heard of this fruit before, but oh my God is it gorgeous!
Thanks for spreading the love! You definitely are worthy of that award!
u cook with such awesomely unique stuff, cynthia! i love it! not a huge fan of saltfish though..
Cyn, you're really the queen of exotic posts! :)
Ackee is somewhat similar to lychee, isn't it? It looks quite intriguing - maybe I should be making a trip to Jamaica just to try it and maybe visit you :)
Beautiful rose! You made that? wow.
The ackee looks lovely
hi cynthia!cool blog and wonderful pictures and presentations...you are my top discovery today.i am totally ignorant abt ackee..but i am sure going to learn your cooking from your blog.:))
Cynthia - I always learn about something new from you. Thanks Teacher!
Wow---I've never tried nor seen Ackee before. I love the wonderful things you introduce us to, and the beautiful exploratory photos you provide!
Love the look of Ackee, I like coming to your blog to see all the tropical fruits and veggies. :) and also reminds me of spring!
Cynthia, just had Ackee and Saltfish today at a newer restaurant in town (Hendersonville, NC USA) called One Love Jamaican.
It was delicious! Wanted to know more about ackee and found your blog.
Great posts!
Hendersonville Epicurean
I always learn such interesting things on your blog. I'd never even heard of Ackee before and now if I ever get to go back to the Caribbean I'm going to see if I can find some Ackee and saltfish! The part on Wikipedia about it sometimes being toxic certainly makes it exciting!
I learn something everytime I'm here. Never heard of Ackee before. Pictures are lovely, as always.:)
hi Cynthia, first time here.you have a great blog.never heard of ackee before but it looks beautiful..
guurrl!!!
yum!!! I haven't had ackee and codfish in sooo long!
wow. you just took me back!
wait til i bring it up to my Jamaican father! :)
B-
Those are fascinating. They really do look like scrambled eggs...and I am intrigued to hear that they taste like them too. If I ever make it to your part of the world, I will definitely try them!
I just learned about ackee, thanks to you!
And you are most welcome, my friend! :)
I'm ignorant of Ackee...Like always..a very informative post....
Congrats on the award!
Simply mouth-watering photos & the recipe as also knowing about this fruit...seems absolutely delicious...have a wonderful time!
I've never even seen these before.
They look really beautiful and if at all i ever see them i'll surely go ahead n buy some ... thanks to you and this this lovely post.
¡Hola Cynthia!, cada día es más interesante pasarte por tu blog y ver las recetas y las fotografías.
Cuando te sea posible, pasate por nuestro blog a recoger tu premio.
Besotes... Kiss
Ana y Víctor.
Whoa! How cool is that?
Can you believe that is from nature?
It's so perfect looking. Kind of like black olives.
Congrats on the well deserved award Cynthia. Never heard about Ackee, but its sure looks good!! That's the thing I love about blogging...we blog & learn!!! Ciao Deeba
Hello cynthia, this is the first time I saw Ackee, never heard abt it too. By the way congrats on your award :)
the picture looks so pretty :-)
Very richly deserved award, Cynthia. It could not have gone to a better person!
First time I'm seeing a picture of Ackee; I am reminded of Harry Belafonte singing, in Jamaica Farewell, "Ackee, rice, salt, fish are nice, and the rum is fine any time o'year..." Now I know what he was singing about!
Kamini.
Congratulations on your award Cynthia! And belated Happy Valentine's Day! :D
Hi Cynthia,
I am so intrigued by the Ackee! It looks so unique & stunning looking. It would be impossible to find here.
Have a nice weekend dear friend,
Nora
Cynthia, your posts always introduce me to wonderful unique foods. Your blog always gives me so much of new information. I know that I have said this so many times , but please bear with me.Never heard of ackee before but it looks just beautiful. Needless to say the dish looks wonderful too.
See... your picture once again made me forget what I wanted to say. Congrats on getting 'The spreader of love award'. Enjoy it!
wow! what an unusual pretty fruit, thanks for introducing a new fruit to me :)
Congrats on the award and ackee looks so cute Cynthia. Viji
Alina, Asha, Bellini Valli, Mona, Ivy, Chennette, Nanditha, Glamah16, Mamatha, Sra, Keva, M&Ms, Peter, Helene, Indo, Easycrafts, Bindiya, Ann, Lisa, Proud Italian Cook, Precious Pea, Tigerfish, Daphne, Sunny & Sid, Lyrical Lemongrass, Tartelette, Valentina, Happy Cook, Bigfish Chin, Pearl, Shilpa, Kevnin, Siri, Fork full of Spaghetti, Dhanggit, Half Baked, Laavanya, Superchef, Chris, Sagari, Toni, Nags, Lori Lynn, Heather, Mandira, Mary, TBC, Flamboyant Eats, Kate/kajal, Ana & Victor, Emiline, Kamini, Anali, Nora B, Richa & Viji - my dear, dear friends, thanks for always being so supportive.
Karin - the ones you get canned now, you do not have to worry about. It is only when the fruit is unripened that it's dangerous.
Suganya - it does look similar indeed
Shn - I totally agree with you :)
Alpa - gosh, no. It is not to be eaten raw, ever!
Rosa - the canned variety is expensive here too.
Seena - you are on! I'm all for the exchange. Seriously.
Zen Chef - it is that imagination of yours, in addition to your cooking skills that I so love :)
Minti - come soon!
Zippiknits - thank you for making my day.
Pixie - the texture is creamy like scrambled eggs but the fruit itself tastes a little sweet and as one commenter said, stainy :)
Meeta - OMG yes!
Jenndz - oh you have to try it as well as all the great Jamaican food! Be sure to check out the road-side food stalls!
David - the ackee or saltfish? Will email you.
Bee - I'll try to get some for you if they are still around.
Linda - the restriction on the canned ackees has been lifted, I think. Make another Jamaican trip :)
Anamika - no need to apologise love, whenever you can make it, I'm appreciative.
Kaykat - I'm not sure about the Lychee. You should make a trip to Jamaica :)
The Cooker - yeah, I made it :)
Caff. Cowgirl - taste in terms of texture.
EMWK - thank you
Kribha - I heart you! :)
Hearty thanks and a very warm welcome, Ais, Tiina, Rosie, Cheese Puff, Home Cooked, Cake Spy, Marye, Saswati, Sandhya, Flying Stars, Deeba & RV - I looking forward to visiting your blogs and seeing you around.
Tavolini - you are welcome to visit anytime! Welcome! Hope to see you around again.
Recipe Girl - not sure if you'll find it there, canned of course. :) Welcome. Do come back and visit.
Hendersonville Epicurean - great! Looking forward to your visits.
I've never heard of it before but I know after reading this I really want to try it!
Cynthia..those look so gorgeous..this is the first time I am seeing them..thanks so much for sharing them...I was wondering what happened to you...looks like I somehow missed your posts..and checked that you are in TOI..still..anyway..I am off to check all the posts now!..
I' ve never had ackee before. It's new to me. Thanks for educating me, Cyn.
Cynthia,
This Ackee is so exotic! I've never heard of it but it looks delicious. No wonder it's a national dish. Your tomato rose is beautiful too.
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