Trinidad Crab Callaloo using Frozen Spinach | Vegan Option

#callaloo #dasheenbushbhagee #crabcallaloo #trinidadcallaloo
Callaloo is a Trini Sunday favorite traditionally made with callaloo bush, also known as taro leaves. For those of you with no access to these fresh leaves, today I teach you how to get the same results with chopped frozen spinach. You will never know the difference.
This recipe can be made vegan or with crab, as seen in this video. Chicken and pigtails are other great options.
Printable Recipe:
cookingwithria.com/2011/10/tr...
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 (10 oz) packages of frozen chopped spinach OR 1 1/2 - 2 lbs young dasheen bush leaves and stems ( 1 bundle)
1/2 - 1 lb pumpkin (squash or calabaza), cubed (frozen or fresh)
1/2 - 1 lb ochro, sliced in 1/2 inch pieces, (frozen or fresh)
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
4-5 scallions, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 small bunch thyme (about 8 sprigs, whole or chopped finely)
8 large garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons green seasoning
1 stalk celery, finely chopped, optional
2 cups fresh coconut milk + 2 cups water, or more if you want more liquid
salt and pepper ( I used 3 tsps Himalayan Salt salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper)
1 habanero pepper and 2 pimento peppers
Optional- Meat or Seafood: Crab, chicken or pre cooked pig tail (2 lbs)
1. In a stockpot over low heat, add spinach, pumpkin, carrots, ochroes, scallions, celery, onion, thyme, garlic, green seasoning, oil and the habanero pepper. Add protein if using.
2. Pour in coconut milk to pan, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Cover and simmer for 1 hour until all ingredients are cooked and soft, stirring every 10 minutes to combine the flavors and prevent sticking to the bottom.
4. When finished, remove habanero pepper (being careful not to burst it) and (meat if using) and swizzle using a swizzle stick (also called dhal ghutney in Trinidad) to break up chunks. You may also use a food processor or blender or hand immersion blender for a smoother texture.
Return meat into the pot and serve hot over rice.
Link to Kitchen Favorites:
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WITH LOVE AND BEST DISHES,
RIA B.

[@ermaarcher2708]

Riri!! I always follow your recipe whenever I make callaloo.I use pigtails instead of crab as the hubby and daughter are allergic. It 's amazing how good it is. Iv'e cooked this for Trinis that visit from home and they could not believe how well the spinach mimics the dasheen bush.:)

[@CookingWithRia]

Erma Archer Hey Emma! Happy to hear from you! It sure is amazing! Thanks for using my recipe. I forgot if you mentioned already-do you live in the US?

[@ermaarcher2708]

@@CookingWithRia Yes I do! Originally from Trinidad. I lived in NY for over thirty years. Then relocated to Georgia seven years ago.:)

[@mangog8277]

I have been using chopped spinach to make callaloo for many many years. Because when we lived up in Canada in the early 70's you could not find dasheen bush. So we had to improvise. We still use it up to this day. It is just as delicious!

[@carobella6058]

Thanks for sharing your callaloo recipe. I use frozen spinach and frozen ochras, it comes out perfect. In my opinion using freshly squeezed coconut milk makes a huge difference with the taste, it gives it a much nicer flavour

[@limarichardson5275]

Another deliciously prepared dish.I can taste it Great job

[@ChefAprilKitchen]

mouthwatering all the way great video

[@Brklyn_NuYawka]

I made this tonight. My first time. I did it without the crab just in case i messed up. But it came out absolutely delicious. I will definitely add crab next time. Thank you Ria!!!

[@carlaclement4229]

Good morning Ria, I enjoyed watching you swizzle that callaloo. Yes I do use the spinach when I can't get dasheen bush but no crabs for me i use pigtails. Yummy, keep it coming and thank you. DO keep safe 🙏🏽❤🙏🏽

[@roloskitime]

Looks so yummy 🤤 thanks for sharing

[@heathertaylor2619]

Thanks for the Receipe Ria,yummy

[@neshayaw]

Excellent need to make and freeze, haven't done so in a long time..thanks for the reminder

[@crissysweet1959]

Can't wait RIA, it looks so yummy.

[@CookingWithRia]

Thanks Crissy! Look forward to chatting with you.

[@katumispencer]

Really enjoy your recipes and just learned something regarding "pumpkins". Here in the U.S. (at least where I was raised), pumpkins are those big round, orange squash used around Halloween and for making pumpkin pie. As I was watching this video, you mentioned that you can use various winter squashes but you referred to them all as pumpkins and now I know that when I'm preparing any Trinidadian dishes that call for pumpkin, it means hard squashes like butternut, acorn, etc., thanks😁

[@nicoleharris1130]

Oooooh!

[@gisellestanley4907]

Thanks much for this recipe, Ms. Ria. It's on my menu for tomorrow to go along with some fried fish, veg. rice, macaroni pie as one of my son's requested it. Good to know those type of crabs can be used as I have wanted to try it before. Good traditional T&T recipe.

[@CookingWithRia]

If I missed your question during the chat, please leave it below and I will be happy to respond.

[@briejason8558]

You forget the main ingredient in your tirle😱😱😱😱crab!!! Lol

[@patriciahiggins9843]

That look so pretty Ria!!!!!

[@journeywithjell1594]

Hi ! Family!!! Food looks so Delicious!! I will be watching you. Love okra!!!. God Bless!!

[@deboraalexis4016]

I have done this several times!! As u say things are not available. So i learn to freeze my extra ingredients so they dont spoiled. Cut and put in bags down to garlic . Just thought about using smoke turkey necks.. Thanks for the coconut milk part. I usual keep the powder on hand. As some things have not been available to use. Love and appreciate your videos always!🥂💕🌹

[@CookingWithRia]

Debora Alexis Thanks Debora! 🌺

[@trinilifewithvedesh]

Looks delicious 😋

[@bridgetr7166]

I appreciate how clear and concise your directions are. It looks great. Thank you for sharing.

[@CookingWithRia]

You are so welcome!

[@mahailiaXoXo]

Trini, who was raised outside of Trinidad here! Really fiending for callaloo, so I'm going to cook this tomorrow! with some stew! :D Thanks, Ria!

[@CookingWithRia]

Hope you enjoy

[@𝑀𝓇𝓈.𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓃𝑔𝒷𝑜𝓀𝒾𝑒]

Hi Ria.....love this dish.

[@vickyrajkumar8117]

Hi very nice dish have to gave it a try🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@lornamurray3955]

My Trini BFF introduced this dish to me years ago it was delicious, think I’ll make it and surprise her over the Christmas/ New Year’s holiday. Looks delicious!!!😋 😋😋

[@PrettySoPretty]

My husband hates callaloo and I never learned how to make it cause of that reason but I love it and usually get it from the trini restaurant. I am going to make this exact same dish and have it all to myself, cause it look so good 😋😋.

[@joanwalford1959]

Mouthwatering and looking as if it's full of flavour.

[@CookingWithRia]

Thanks!

[@zarakhaledelissa221]

lovely

[@1trinialltheway673]

Thank you.. living in NYC and not having the original ingredients can be discouraging.. Thank you for doing this version .. can’t wait to try it

[@KatGlo]

What part of NY?

[@vixlenz]

Thanks for this Ria, going to try this one out tonight!

[@CookingWithRia]

Hope you like it!

[@vixlenz]

@@CookingWithRia It came out so delicious, and the texture is just perfect too. Thanks again Ria!

[@elnorasamuel1487]

looking good

[@vrijmatipersaud1256]

Those CRABS had a good scrub down huh? lol!! Healthy Dish Very clean and organised Too Cheers!!

[@lylinbest948]

Good day Ria,awesome looking spread,i had a visitor from Trinidad who observed this recipe and corrected me,she said this is spinnaloo lol but loved it. Some stew fish and coo coo would go great today. Thanks again for sharing.

[@CookingWithRia]

Lylin Best Hi Lylin! Thanks and happy to hear from you! Your visitor was absolutely correct! Very appropriate name indeed! Callaloo, stew fish and coo coo -Yes please ! Would love to get some fresh fish to prepare that combo! Stay blessed. 🌺🇹🇹

[@lylinbest948]

Thanks for reply especially if fish head is included. YUMMM

[@chanellerb442]

I make this every Sunday with stew chicken I don't use carrots though I love the pumpkin it gives it a great taste I also use accent it eliminates using so much salt

[@shevaughnwhitehead]

I love your channel. Your recipes always taste like my parents food.

[@CookingWithRia]

Glad you like them!

[@kayelatty4350]

just delish.

[@terrilee734]

Yummy

[@susanroberts8833]

Thanks for posting this spinach version. It's difficult to get callaloo bush here in Virginia.

[@cynthiawilliams4723]

Nice job

[@Kym1234]

Looks delicious I always use frozen spinach I use one package of creamed spinach and one plane maybe you can do a cake recipe one day

[@geetacc]

This reminds me of my mom, nanee , mousies making this way

[@anastasiamathura5401]

That looks delicious I will certainly try this. Thanks for sharing one of your delicious recipes

[@trinimama178]

❤️❤️❤️

[@nalinir5092]

My mom and I recently made crab and callaloo with frozen spinach and it came out just like if we used dasheen leaves. Deeelicious!!!

[@barbaraglover4451]

I love Crab and Callaloo with Frozen Spinach

[@trini1duncan162]

Can the frozen cream spinach be used ?

[@nardalovell4359]

Ria, this looks great as usual. Glad u showed us how to use the spinach instead. Where did you get the dhal gutney?

[@CookingWithRia]

Narda Lovell In Trinidad. Thanks! 🌺🇹🇹

[@sandramahadeo4910]

Hi Ria I also use frozen dasheen bush I don’t use crabs or meat because I have vegetarian people in my house enjoy your weekend and stay safe bye.

[@NoelTahal]

Thanks I start already to cook try the same thing I gut all my produce fresh

[@ruthnettles1677]

Hi Ria,it took me so long to finally make callahlo with frozen spinach,it was delicious,so that’s my new go to,when I don’t get the bush,I omitted the crabs,because of allergies to shellfish...

[@neshayaw]

Use saltfish instead. Gives you that same seafood taste

[@CookingWithRia]

Ruth Nettles Hey Ruth! Glad you already discovered the spinach substitute -to continue to enjoy not only the flavors- but the health benefits of this superb dish!! Have a great weekend! 🌺

[@jpc3603]

This healthy dish looks absolutely delicious and flavoursome! I'm going to make it this weekend. I don't know if Trini callaloo is the same as Jamaican as the plant looked a bit different but I use spinach too as they don't seem to export callaloo, I can find scotch bonnet, okra etc😅. Excited to follow your recipe!💚

[@CookingWithRia]

It is scrumptious and very nutritious. Trini callaloo is not the same as Jamaican callaloo. Thanks !

[@jpc3603]

@@CookingWithRia Ah thank you for explaining this! Jamaican callaloo needs its leaves preparing etc. In the future I would love to travel across the Caribbean (sampling cuisines definitely plays it's part as to why😁 ) Best wishes 🙌🏼

[@akil2746]

I think what Jamaicans call Callaloo, Trinis call Bhaji.

[@milling37]

Great recipe,I use fresh spinach and came out delicious! Do u have a recipe for green seasoning?

[@CookingWithRia]

milling37 Thanks. Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3uUhJeufayGbLM

[@milling37]

@@CookingWithRia Wow that was quick! Trini living in Kentucky,USA so u know no bhagi here😁 Thank u👍🇹🇹❤

[@CookingWithRia]

milling37 No worries! Enjoy!

[@Chantalecherident]

Thanks for sharing! I’m going to attempt this tomorrow with some blue crabs 😋

[@ambergarner8882]

What’s the green seasoning?

[@squange20]

Lovely Ria. I use spinach leaves and canned crab meat. I par fry the okra slices and add it half way through cooking, as my hubby doesn’t like it all mashed up. The pumpkin is a nice touch, so will try that.

[@petrarossman5638]

Hi Ria, Love watching your cooking. I am learning a lot from you. You make it so simple. Where did your crab and what type of Crab is it for the Calloloo. I know Blue Crab, not don't know the one you're using. Regards Petra

[@wenicudjoe7324]

Yeah man Trini style.

[@ifinchl4932]

I actually use spinach because I don’t have callaloo where am located .

[@chantaycrowe9350]

Can I use another kind milk beside coconut

[@CookingWithRia]

No

[@elnorasamuel1487]

U need to use a brush not a wire it may stick on the crab! hope it’s taste as good as it looks, looking very good. thats the way i make mines except I a little different seasons

[@Triniboyforchrist]

Hi Ria, I heard this is our national dish, is this true? Or do we have one or not.

[@CookingWithRia]

That’s what they say but highly debatable.

[@joanballiram420]

Just beautiful cooking, but I noticed you did not use salted butter. But it looked amazing.

[@zedmak]

Try it with the cream spinach, and yes I have an emersion blender.

[@dellam.8321]

U can get dhal gurney in a west Indian store, that's vwhete I got mine

[@deborahmohammed8184]

The calalloo looks delicious, why did you put olive oil in it?

[@CookingWithRia]

Deborah Mohammed Oil/fat in cooking contributes to the flavor. Needed especially since I’m using ‘lean’ seafood -crab-and not chicken feet or salted pigtails etc.

[@deborahmohammed8184]

CookingWithRia ok I normally use some golden ray

[@CookingWithRia]

Deborah Mohammed Try using good quality Evoo or coconut oil which are much healthier. I know that’s a traditional addition, but in my humble opinion, why take a dish that’s so healthy and packed with nutrients and devalue it with something that’s unhealthy. You won’t miss it if you flavor your pot adequately with enough seasonings and salt as well. I would like you to stay healthy my friend. 🌺

[@deborahmohammed8184]

CookingWithRia Thank you for your advice

[@anthonypitt5861]

Am in the Brooklyn area where did u get that crab 🦀

[@CookingWithRia]

It’s been a while, but I believe we got it at Bjs

[@ShabanandHailey]

Looks delicious I will try this just as you did thanks for sharing

[@markanthonynicholas8277]

Hey Tia do You have a cook book??

[@annmarieb987]

Her name is Ria

[@markanthonynicholas8277]

I know her name is Ria..blame smart phone's..my phone has ADD..

[@CookingWithRia]

Markanthony NNicholas Hi! Not quite yet. Thanks for asking! 👍😀🌺

[@deborahmohammed8184]

I always use frozen spinach and frozen orchos

[@Sairamaraj]

Hello Sunday lunch lol thx u🙏💐

[@indramahabir1617]

Goldern Ray Butter lol !!

[@PrayerStation7]

Ria I'm coming to live with you. 😂😂😂

[@markanthonynicholas8277]

Tia what you didn't invite no body??😊😳😥

[@CookingWithRia]

Markanthony NNicholas The invite was probably lost in the mail. 🤔😀

[@NJ_1315]

I don't like pumpkin, so maybe butternut squash instead!

[@yolandastephens7347]

This is Ria and not Natasha !

[@crissysweet1959]

Lol

[@jackiebrotherson4331]

A blender is better to mix it up smoothly.