Ackee and Salt Fish: The National Dish of Jamaica

I am now a proud madrina of a Jamaixican little boy.  Given that my Godson is half Jamaican, I figured that I better learn how to cook Jamaican food.  So, my comadre, introduced me to Ackee - a fruit I had never heard of before.  One day she also made the Ackee and Saltfish and I had the opportunity to taste it.  This is definitely NOT Paleo given the salt content of the "saltfish."  So, just a warning for those who need to or want to reduce their salt intake.

Typically this dish is served with roast breadfruit, fried dumplings, bread, boiled yam, and boiled green bananas.  I do intend to try the boiled green bananas and also plan to make a gluten free Jamaican bread.  My comadre also says that many people just eat it with something like flour tortillas Mexicans use.  I have made this twice and so far, I just eat it over a bed of greens and love it this way.  Atzin really likes it this way as well.  He is not too crazy about fish, but he does like this dish.

1 can of Ackee or 12 pods of fresh ackee.
(Good luck finding fresh ackee unless you live in Jamaica.  You will probably have to use the canned.  I found two places in Chicago where you can get it.

Jamaican Market on the South Side

Old World Market on the North Side

You can always get it online four double the price because of shipping:
Ackee on Amazon

1/2 pound of Salftish (codfish) also called bacalao (this is fairly common and I was able to find it at my local market).
Spray of olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 stalks of scallion, chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 tsp Scotch bonnet pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp black pepper

1. Soak saltfish in cold water for about 1 hour.
2. If you are using fresh ackees, boil in water for about 15-20 minutes.  If you are using canned, don't worry about this step.
3. Drain water from soaked saltfish, add fresh water and cook for 10 minutes.  Drain thoroughly.
4. Drain water from cooked ackee throughly
5. De-bone and flake saltfish and remove scales where necessary.  (I just bought it already scaled and de-boned so I didn't have to do this).
6. In a saucepan, spray the olive oil and saute onion, garlic, scallion, tomato, scotch bonnet pepper, and bell pepper.
7. Add flaked saltfish to sauteed seasoning and cook on low flame for 3 minutes.  Toss lightly.
8. Add drained ackee.
9. Sprinkle with black pepper.
10. Toss all ingredients lightly, cover and allow to stand over low heat for about 2-3 minutes.