Ackee and Saltfish
Breakfast
Caribbean50 min4 servingsEasyAbout this recipe
Jamaica's beloved national dish — tender, flaky salted codfish sautéed with buttery canned ackee, sweet peppers, onion, tomatoes, and a kick of Scotch bonnet. Ready in under an hour, this savory, satisfying skillet meal is best served with fried dumplings, boiled green bananas, or hard dough bread for a true island breakfast or dinner.
Instructions
- 1
Desalt the salted codfish: Place the salted codfish in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil ^[over high heat], then drain and repeat with fresh water. Boil a second time for 15–20 minutes until the fish is tender and the saltiness is reduced to a pleasant level. Drain, let cool slightly, then flake the fish into bite-sized pieces, removing any bones or skin.
- 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet ^[over medium heat]. Add the sliced yellow onion and the white parts of the green onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the green bell pepper and red bell pepper strips and the scotch bonnet pepper, and continue cooking for another 3 minutes until the peppers begin to soften.
- 3
Stir in the garlic minced and thyme sprigs and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the plum tomatoes diced and stir to combine. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and release their juices, forming a light sauce around the vegetables.
- 4
Add the flaked salted codfish to the skillet and stir gently to combine with the vegetables. Cook for 2–3 minutes, letting the fish absorb the flavors. Season with freshly ground black pepper — taste before adding any salt, as the fish will still carry some saltiness.
- 5
Gently fold in the ackee drained, being careful not to break up the delicate pieces. Reduce the heat ^[to low] and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until the ackee is warmed through. Remove the thyme sprigs, scatter the green onions green tops over the top, and serve immediately with fried dumplings, boiled green bananas, or hard dough bread.
