Jamaican Restaurant in The Bronx Serving the Best Ackee and Saltfish Daily!
Ackee and Saltfish If you’re looking for a traditional Jamaican breakfast, ackee and saltfish is a great choice. If you are looking for delicious Jamaican food, and in particular ackee and saltfish in the Bronx, NYC look no further than Frank's Soupbowl.
Though ackee is Jamaica’s national fruit, it’s not native to the island; it has its origins in Africa. As with many other things on the island, the dish has its roots in colonialism.
The fruit itself is easy to cultivate, but it must be prepared carefully because of the presence of toxins in certain parts. The flesh of the ackee fruit is boiled for this dish, but it’s so common in Jamaica that it can be bought fresh or canned. In fact, many Jamaicans pick ackee that grows wild by the roadside.
Jamaica’s first ackee tree was grown from West African seeds brought by a slave ship captain. The tree’s common name comes from the Akan akye fufo, and the fruit contains three small black seeds surrounded by yellow flesh and a skin that deepens into a rich red color. Once the fruit ripens and reddens, it opens to reveal the seeds and flesh. Because the fruit contains toxins, it shouldn’t be harvested until it opens.
Ackee isn’t common outside of the island, but Ghanaian people use the tree’s flowers to make perfumes and soaps. In some parts of Africa, ackee pods are ground up and thrown into the water, drugging fish and making them easier to catch. Today, ackee is prevalent in South Florida and most Caribbean countries. Saltfish is a European import that’s usually made from cod, but any whitefish may be used. The fish is filleted, then dried and salted for preservation. When preparing this traditional Jamaican breakfast, the fish is soaked until almost all the salt is gone. Then, it’s chopped up and added to the already-boiled ackee. The mixture is sautéed in a blend of spices and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and scotch bonnet peppers. Ackee and saltfish is often served with other dishes such as callaloo, bammy, and breadfruit.
Frank's Soup Bowl 3580 Bronxwood Ave (Corner of E213th St) Bronx, NY 10469 718-519-9277
RECIPE YOU CAN TRY TODAY!
Sometimes you just want to stay at home and not go to a Jamaican restaurant to try something. That's ok! While we can make the process easy for you. We prepared home cooked delicious Jamaican food 7 days a week. Just order, enjoy and eat!
But....if you want try your hand at making this dish yourself, you can find a popular recipe listed below. (we advise against this for obvious reasons, you have been warned) Enjoy!
Preparation time 10-30 min Serves 4 Ingredients
Dash of black pepper or to taste
1 small sweet pepper
1 can of ackee or fresh ackee
1 scotch bonnet pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon of cooking oil/butter or cooking spray
2 pieces or stalks of scallions, chopped
1/2 pound(s) saltfish (deboned or bone in)
2 clove garlic, chopped
Cooking Directions 1. Put saltfish to soak in cold water overnight or in a run soak for at least 1 hour. 2. Pour off water; add fresh water and boil until tender. 3. De-bone and flake saltfish if necessary to do so. 4. Heat oil and add onion, garlic, scallion, tomato, scotch bonnet, pepper and cook over medium heat until translucent. 5. Add codfish, ackee and black pepper to taste. 6. Toss lightly; cover and allow to stand over low heat for about 2 minutes or until you are ready to eat and enjoy