Ackee and Salt Mackerel

Ackee and Salt Mackerel is a staple breakfast in a Jamaican household. They eat this dish anytime of the day because of how delicious and flavorful it is. Ackee is a savory fruit with thick red skin that only eats when ripe and open. When fruit is ripe and ready to eat you will have a vibrant yellow fruit with black seed and red flesh. If ackee is not prepare correctly it will consider harmful. To properly prep the fruit ensure the red skin is open remove the fruit, black seed and red flesh.

Salt Mackerel also known as pickled mackerel can be prepare and serve with your side dish of choice. However when this recipe is pair with ground provision i.e boil banana, boil dumpling, yam and roast breadfruit chef kiss, one of my favorite dish.

 

Can Ackee be eaten raw?

Ackee the yellow fruit can be eaten raw. However you have to let the fruit ripe and open on the tree before you can consume, before you eat the fruit follow these steps i.e. 1. remove yellow fruit from red skin, 2. remove seed, 3. removed red core from fruit, wash and eat as any other fruit. This is not highly recommended because it can be considered poisonous if the fruit is not ripe and open but once you follow the steps listed above it will be ok. But to make this recipe the ackee need to be fully cook.

 

What is Ackee?

Ackee is a national fruit originally from Jamaica also known as their national dish when pair with Salt Fish.

 

What is Salt Mackerel?

Salt Mackerel is also known as pickled mackerel which is preserved in salt brine water.

 

What is Ackee and Salt Mackerel made of?

Ackee and Salt Mackerel is made from Salt Mackerel and Ackee (main ingredients) onion, green onion, thyme, bell peppers and tomato.

 

Can I substitute ingredients?

Absolutely! you can use fresh cod fish if Salt Mackerel is not available. But remember Ackee and Salt fish is different from Ackee and Salt Mackerel

 

Do you cook the Salt Mackerel?

Yes, by cooking Salt Mackerel it will remove excess salt. Boil on medium heat for 15-20, although cooking is optional you can soak to remove excess salt however this process is longer.

 

Fun fact: Ackee and Salt Fish is Jamaica National Dish but if you try Ackee and Salt Mackerel you will be mind blown as well.

 

For more inspired dinner recipe check out:

One Pot Jerk Chicken and Rice
Salt Mackerel Run Down

 

What ingredients you will need?

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store.

Salt Mackerel
Ackee – I bought frozen ackee at my local West Indian Grocery. However tin ackee works well.
Vegetable – Onion, tomato and bell pepper.
Herbs and Spices – Spring thyme, all spice berries, scotch bonnet pepper and green onion.
Condiments – Olive oil  and black pepper.

 

How to make Ackee and Salt Mackerel?

Step 1
Wash and boil Salt Mackerel in hot water for 20-35 minutes to remove excess salt.

Step 2
Remove salt mackerel from heat. Pour away boiling water. Wash salt mackerel in cold water to cool the it down. Debone fish then break it into small fish flakes.

Step 3
In a skillet on medium heat add oil, heat for 2-3 minutes. Add chop vegetables saute until fragrant then add flaked salt mackerel and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Step 4
Gently stir ackee, lower the heat and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Add the black pepper, turn the heat off serve and enjoy.

 

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The Recipe:

Ackee and Salt Mackerel

 

 

 

Ingredients

1 Pound Salt Mackerel
1 Pound ackee or Tin ackee
4 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Roma tomato
1/2 Teaspoon black pepper
1 Medium yellow onion
1/2 Green bell pepper
3-4 Spring thyme
1 Scotch bonnet pepper
2-3 Green onion
4-5 All spice berries

 

Instruction 

Wash and boil Salt Mackerel in hot water for 20-35 minutes to remove excess salt.

Remove salt mackerel from heat. Pour away boiling water. Wash the salt mackerel in cold water to cool the it. Deboned fish then break it into small fish flakes.

In a skillet on medium heat add oil, heat for 2-3 minutes. Add chopped vegetables sauté until fragrant. Then add flaked salt mackerel and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Add the ackee gentle stir, lower the heat and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes, add the black pepper, turn the heat off serve and enjoy.