Yesterday I was blessed from a dear Bredrin with some fresh Ackee from a tree here in Hawaii. Although everyone from Jamaica knows what Ackee is, people from Hawaii may have only distantly heard of it, or not know about it at all.
Hidden on the UH campus, known to only a select few lies an infamous Ackee tree. Ackee is not cultivated or commercialized in the US because if picked or cooked improperly it is deadly.
When I would visit Jamaica, I learned quickly, you do not buy Ackee from anyone you do not know and trust because many people have died from it. In the photo above you can see the Ackee pods. There is a poison inside called Hypoglycin, it is released in toxicity when the pod is fully open. If you pick and harvest when pod is partially open and try to force it open then they will be deadly.
Once you have picked fully ripe Ackee, you must properly clean them as well, otherwise the posion remains and you will get sick. The black seed is easily removed and the inside (red-beige vein) must be completely removed and cleaned. Leave nothing inside and thoroughly wash.
Cleaned Ackee will look like this. Now you can bring your water to a boil and cook Ackee. I like to salt the water. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until Ackee is very soft, almost pudding like, but does not fall apart. In Jamaica their national dish is Ackee with Salt fish, cooked down with some onion, scallions, hot pepper, tomatoes and some thyme. But in this vegan kitchen we leave out the fish.
Many say Ackee looks and tastes like scrambled eggs. To me it just taste like Ackee. Very distinct and very delicious. I absolutely love it as one of my favorite foods.
I have not been able to find one market in Hawaii that sells Ackee =(, not one!!!
So I am always making on-line orders or I am blessed by house guests from the mainland that know this is my favorite. Linstead Market is my favorite brand.
I hope you get and opportunity to taste Ackee. Just writing about it is making my mouth water! Unless you are in the Caribbean or Florida, or have a friend in JA who will bring you fresh Ackee, it is likely your best bet to taste is the can. Of course the can does not compare to the fresh, but still, it is delicious.
Would love to hear your story of trying Ackee and thoughts.
Have a beautiful day.
Love you all,
Mama T
