Oil Down
Oil Down is the national dish of Grenada. On weekends, Grenadans like going to the
beach in groups, bringing the ingredients and making a slow cooking communal meal. There are many local variants, that utilize fresh local ingredients, but they all seem to contain starchy
vegetables, breadfruit and saltpork or fish. I adapted two versions of the dish into my version, but I can't say it was too successful. The dish just lacked flavor. Still, it was fun to
make and I was happy to try breadfruit for the first time - though I didn't particularly like it.
Oil Down
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
- 7 garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half
- 1 celery rib, sliced
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 5 Caribbean seasoning peppers or 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 basil leaf, chopped
- 1 sprig thyme
- 3 lbs chicken pieces
- 1 yam, cubed
- 2 large potatos, cubed
- 1 breadfruit, cubed
- 8 oz salt pork or bacon, cut in strips
- 2 cans coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tbsp ground turmeric
- salt & pepper to taste
- callaloo or spinach leaves
- spinners and sinkers
Directions
Heat oil over medium-high heat on a large cooking pot. Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrot and saute until the veggies soften. Add red pepper, basil and thyme and saute for a couple of minutes. Add the chicken pieces. Add the yams and potatoes and then the breadfruit. Add the salt pork or bacon. Pour coconut milk and water. Add turmeric, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Add the spinach and the spinners and cook for another 30 minutes. Adjust seasoning and serve.
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Adapted from the official recipe by the Government of Grenada and Becca's recipe at Meat Loves Salt blog.
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