Jamaica's national dish featuring salted codfish sautéed with the delicate ackee fruit, onions, tomatoes, peppers, and spices.

Ackee and Saltfish

Recipe & Instructions (US Units)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb boneless salted codfish
• 1 (19-ounce) can ackee, drained
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 small bell pepper (any color), chopped
• 1-2 scallions (green onions), chopped
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1/2 Scotch bonnet pepper, finely minced (optional, remove seeds for less heat)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: 1 sprig fresh thyme

Instructions:

1. Prepare Saltfish: Place saltfish in a bowl and cover with cold water. Soak overnight in the refrigerator, changing the water 2-3 times. Alternatively, for a quicker method, place saltfish in a pot with water, bring to a boil, simmer for 15-20 minutes, drain, and repeat 2-3 times until excess salt is removed. Flake the boiled fish into small pieces, removing any skin or bones.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, scallions, and optional Scotch bonnet and thyme. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Combine: Add the flaked saltfish and chopped tomato to the skillet. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes.
4. Add Ackee: Gently fold in the drained ackee. Be careful not to stir too vigorously, as ackee is delicate and can become mushy. Cook just until the ackee is heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Season: Season with black pepper. Salt is usually not needed due to the residual salt in the fish, but taste and add if necessary.
6. Serve immediately, often with dumplings, fried plantain, or breadfruit.

What makes it special?*

Ackee and Saltfish is Jamaica's national dish. It combines the unique, subtly flavored, creamy ackee fruit (which looks somewhat like scrambled eggs when cooked) with savory salted codfish and aromatic vegetables. Ackee must be harvested and prepared properly (only the fleshy arils of ripe, opened pods are edible), making this dish a true taste of Jamaican heritage and culinary tradition.