The national dish of St Kitts-Nevis is Stewed saltfish with spicy plantains and coconut dumplings. It is a tasty blend of  vegetables, spices, coconut and saltfish .

Recipe: The national dish of Saint Kitts and Nevis – Stewed saltfish with spicy plantains and coconut dumplings

Cook time

1 hour 30 mins

Total time

1 hour 30 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

Stewed saltfish

• 450 g saltfish
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 450 g tomatoes, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 6 spring onions, finely chopped
• 1 small onion
• salt
• black pepper

Spicy Plantains

• 3 plantains, cut into halves
• 2 tbsp grated ginger
• 1 small onion, grated
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp chili pepper, finely chopped
• vegetable oil

Coconut Dumplings

• 75 g coconut flakes (around ½ cup)
• 220 g wheat flour (around 1½ cups)
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 125 ml water

Seasoned Breadfruit

• 500 g breadfruit (unsalted and chopped into 2 ½ cm pieces. Roughly 3 cups)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• ⅓ red bell pepper, diced
• ⅓ green bell pepper, diced 
• ⅓ yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 125 ml chicken broth
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Chop, dice or grate the ingredients according to the ingredient comments

Stewed Saltfish

1. Soak the saltfish overnight.
2. Boil the fish in fresh water until tender, for about 20 minutes.
3. Drain it before removing bones, scales and flakes.
4. Heat oil in a large pan. Add peppers, spring onions, onion and garlic. Cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add the tomatoes and simmer over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Add saltfish, butter, salt and pepper. Cover the stew and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.

Spicy Plantains

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Toss until mixed. Fry in batches until golden brown and cooked.
2. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Coconut Dumplings

1. Place flour, coconut, salt, butter and oil in a bowl. Gradually stir in water to make a stiff dough.
2. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead for about 2 minutes.
3. Make dumplings in desired shape.
4. Slide dumplings into boiling water. Cover and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Seasoned Breadfruit

1. Melt butter in a heavy pan over medium heat, then add oil. Add onions and cook 5 to 8 minutes until golden, stir often.
2. Add garlic, thyme and chopped peppers, sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Remove from heat and add breadfruit with chicken broth or other prepared liquid. Toss gently to blend and heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Serve with dumplings, saltfish and spicy plantains.