bvisoup

BVI Callaloo Soup

Name: BVI Callaloo Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: bvi
Ingredients: 400 g dasheen (taro) leaves (or spinach as substitute); 1 cup sliced okra; 1 can coconut milk (400 ml); 1 onion (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 litre vegetable broth

Velvety green soup made from dasheen leaves, okra, and coconut milk.

Prep

15 min

Cook

30 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

★★★★★

4.5(168 ratings)

#soup#vegan#greens#coconut#gluten-free

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About This Recipe

Callaloo is a vibrant green soup made from the large leaves of the dasheen (taro) plant blended with okra and aromatic vegetables. In the BVI it is a Sunday staple and a deeply comforting symbol of Caribbean cooking.

Ingredients

Serves 4

400 gdasheen (taro) leaves(or spinach as substitute)
1 cupsliced okra
1 cancoconut milk(400 ml)
1onion(chopped)
2 clovesgarlic(minced)
1 litrevegetable broth

Instructions

1
Sauté aromatics
Cook onion and garlic in a little oil until softened.
2
Add greens and broth
Add dasheen leaves, okra, and broth. Bring to a boil and simmer 20 minutes.
3
Blend
Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.
Blend in batches if using a standard blender.
4
Finish with coconut milk
Stir in coconut milk, season with salt and pepper, and simmer 5 minutes more. Serve hot.

Pro Tips

→
Wear gloves when handling raw dasheen leaves as they can irritate skin.
→
A pinch of nutmeg elevates the flavour.

Variations

•
Add crab or shrimp for a seafood callaloo.
•
Stir in a scotch bonnet for heat.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat gently without boiling.

History & Origin

Callaloo is one of the oldest surviving recipes of the African diaspora in the Caribbean, with roots in West African leafy-green stews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use spinach instead of dasheen?

Yes, spinach is a widely accepted substitute and gives a similar colour and flavour.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving · 4 servings total

Calories210kcal

Protein5g

Carbohydrates16g

Fat14g

Fiber4g

Protein5g

Carbs16g

Fat14g

Time Summary

Prep time15 min

Cook time30 min

Total time45 min

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Instructions

Sauté aromatics

Cook onion and garlic in a little oil until softened.

Add greens and broth

Add dasheen leaves, okra, and broth. Bring to a boil and simmer 20 minutes.

Blend

Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.

Blend in batches if using a standard blender.

Finish with coconut milk

Stir in coconut milk, season with salt and pepper, and simmer 5 minutes more. Serve hot.