Oil down facts for kids
Plated oil down
|
|
| Type | Stew |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Grenada |
| Main ingredients | Breadfruit, salted meat or chicken, coconut milk, spices |
| Variations | seafood |
Oil down is a yummy and hearty stew from the island of Grenada. It's so special that it's known as the national dish of Grenada! This stew is packed with tasty ingredients like salted meat and fresh vegetables.
Contents
What is Oil Down?
Oil down is a type of stew that's cooked slowly until all the liquid is gone. It gets its name because the oil from the coconut milk used in cooking either soaks into the food or settles at the bottom of the pot. When the liquid "cooks down" and disappears, you know it's ready!
Main Ingredients
This delicious dish usually includes breadfruit, salted meat, and sometimes chicken. You'll also find dumplings, a leafy green vegetable called callaloo, and other fresh veggies. All these ingredients are simmered together in rich coconut milk with lots of herbs and spices.
More Than Just a Meal
The term "oil down" isn't just for the food itself. It also describes a fun, traditional neighborhood party! At these gatherings, the stew is prepared and shared. It's often the men who take charge of cooking the oil down at these parties. You can also find oil down served in many local restaurants.
No Two Pots Are Alike
There isn't one single recipe for oil down. Each family and even different areas of Grenada make it a little differently. Everyone has their own special way to "pack the pot" with ingredients. Usually, the breadfruit and meat go on the bottom, most vegetables in the middle, and the callaloo leaves and dumplings on top. The stew cooks slowly, often for at least an hour, until all the liquid is absorbed.
Oil Down in the Caribbean
While oil down is famous in Grenada, it's also popular in nearby Trinidad and Tobago. These islands share a lot of history and culture.
Differences Across Islands
Even though they share the dish, Grenadians and Trinidadians make their oil down a bit differently. Grenadians often use dasheen (another root vegetable), dumplings, and turmeric for color and flavor. Trinidadians, on the other hand, might make a simpler version, sometimes adding hot peppers instead of dumplings.
Similar Dishes
You can find similar stews in other Caribbean countries too! In Guyana, a dish like oil down is called mettagee or mettem. In Jamaica, there's a seafood version called run down. This shows how food traditions can connect different islands.
Images for kids
-
Plated oil down
-
Oil down cooking in a big pot.
