Oil down

Oil down is the national dish of Grenada, a small island in the Caribbean. It is a hearty one-pot meal, made with a variety of ingredients, including breadfruit, salted meat, chicken, dumplings, callaloo, and other vegetables, all cooked down in coconut milk until the liquid has been absorbed. The dish gets its name from this process, as the ingredients are said to be "oiled down" in the coconut milk.

Ingredients

The main ingredients in oil down are breadfruit, salted meat, chicken, dumplings, callaloo, and other vegetables. These are all cooked together in coconut milk, which gives the dish its distinctive flavor. The breadfruit and dumplings provide a starchy base, while the meat and vegetables add flavor and texture. The coconut milk, when cooked down, gives the dish a rich, creamy consistency.

Preparation

To prepare oil down, the breadfruit is first peeled and cut into chunks. The salted meat, usually pork or beef, is soaked overnight to remove excess salt, then boiled until tender. The chicken is seasoned and browned, then added to the pot along with the breadfruit, dumplings, and vegetables. The coconut milk is then poured over everything, and the pot is covered and left to simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed and the ingredients are tender.

Cultural significance

Oil down is more than just a meal in Grenada; it is a symbol of the island's culture and history. The dish is often prepared for special occasions and communal gatherings, and its preparation can be a social event in itself. The ingredients used in oil down reflect the island's rich agricultural resources, as well as its colonial history, with the salted meat harking back to the days of the transatlantic slave trade.

See also

• Cuisine of Grenada
• Caribbean cuisine
• List of national dishes