Green fig and saltfish is a traditional Trinidadian dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It is a simple yet flavorful meal that combines boiled green bananas, flaked salted codfish, onions, peppers, garlic, and other spices. The dish is commonly served for breakfast or brunch, but it can also be eaten as a hearty lunch or dinner. Many Trinidadians and Caribbean residents worldwide consider it to be a comfort food that reminds them of home. Although the ingredients are simple, the process of making green fig and saltfish is time-consuming.
The salted codfish must be soaked overnight to remove the salt and then boiled until it is tender. The green bananas, which are actually unripe bananas, must be peeled and boiled until they are soft. The two are then combined with the sautéed onions, peppers, and garlic to create a flavorful and satisfying meal. Despite the lengthy preparation time, the end result is well worth the effort. The unique blend of flavors and textures in green fig and saltfish makes it a delicious and memorable dish that is sure to please any palate.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40minutes
Course: Seafood
Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients
- 1 hand of green fig bananas
- 1 1/2 lb saltfish boned
- 3 pimento peppers chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 carrot grated ( large side of grater)
- 3 med. tomatoes chopped
- 1/2 large sweet pepper
- 1/2 tbsp. oil
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Mark the green fig (banana) skin with a knife lengthwise. Place in a pot of water add 1/2 tbsp of oil and a pinch of salt. Boil until the skin changes colour and the bananas are tender. Peel the bananas before serving.
- Boil the saltfish for about twenty minutes. Clean and break into smaller pieces. Squeeze out excess salt from the saltfish. In an iron pot, saute the onion and garlic over a medium flame until translucent.
- Add the pimento peppers, sweet pepper, grated carrot and tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes Add the saltfish and mix thoroughly.
- Add about 1/2 cup water and let simmer for 1 minute. Serve over the peeled green fig (bananas).
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Recipe © Simply Trini Cooking. All rights reserved
Green Fig (Banana) And Saltfish
Ingredients
- 1 hand of green fig bananas
- 1 1/2 lb saltfish boned
- 3 pimento peppers chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 carrot grated ( large side of grater)
- 3 med. tomatoes chopped
- 1/2 large sweet pepper
- 1/2 tbsp. oil
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Mark the green fig (banana) skin with a knife lengthwise. Place in a pot of water add 1/2 tbsp of oil and a pinch of salt. Boil until the skin changes colour and the bananas are tender. Peel the bananas before serving.
- Boil the saltfish for about twenty minutes. Clean and break into smaller pieces. Squeeze out excess salt from the saltfish. In an iron pot, saute the onion and garlic over a medium flame until translucent.
- Add the pimento peppers, sweet pepper, grated carrot and tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes Add the saltfish and mix thoroughly.
- Add about 1/2 cup water and let simmer for 1 minute. Serve over the peeled green fig (bananas).
