Oil down: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 10:59, 15 February 2025

Oil Down[edit]

Oil down is a traditional dish from the Caribbean island of Grenada. It is considered the national dish of Grenada and is a hearty, flavorful one-pot meal that is deeply rooted in the island's culture and history.

Ingredients[edit]

The main ingredients of oil down include salted meat, such as saltfish or salted pork, breadfruit, coconut milk, and a variety of vegetables and spices. The dish is known for its rich and savory flavor, which comes from the combination of these ingredients.

Breadfruit[edit]

Breadfruit is a staple in Grenadian cuisine and is a key component of oil down. It is a starchy fruit that is often used in Caribbean cooking and provides a hearty base for the dish.

Coconut Milk[edit]

Coconut milk is used to cook the ingredients together, giving the dish its creamy texture and rich flavor. The milk is extracted from grated coconut flesh and is a common ingredient in many Caribbean dishes.

Salted Meat[edit]

Salted meat, such as saltfish or salted pork, is used to add a savory depth to the dish. The meat is usually soaked to remove excess salt before being added to the pot.

Vegetables and Spices[edit]

A variety of vegetables such as callaloo, carrots, and onions are added to the pot, along with spices like thyme, scallions, and pepper. These ingredients contribute to the complex flavor profile of oil down.

Cooking Method[edit]

Oil down is traditionally cooked in a large pot over an open flame. The ingredients are layered in the pot, starting with the salted meat, followed by the breadfruit, vegetables, and spices. Coconut milk is poured over the top, and the pot is covered and left to simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the flavors meld together.

Cultural Significance[edit]

Oil down is more than just a dish; it is a cultural event in Grenada. It is often prepared for family gatherings, celebrations, and community events. The process of making oil down is communal, with family and friends gathering to prepare the ingredients and cook the meal together.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''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.
+== Oil Down ==
+[[File:Cooking_oil_down_02.jpg|thumb|right|A traditional pot of oil down cooking over an open flame.]]
+'''Oil down''' is a traditional dish from the Caribbean island of [[Grenada]]. It is considered the national dish of Grenada and is a hearty, flavorful one-pot meal that is deeply rooted in the island's culture and history.
 == 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 ==
+The main ingredients of oil down include salted meat, such as [[saltfish]] or [[salted pork]], [[breadfruit]], [[coconut milk]], and a variety of [[vegetables]] and [[spices]]. The dish is known for its rich and savory flavor, which comes from the combination of these ingredients.
-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.
+=== Breadfruit ===
+[[Breadfruit]] is a staple in Grenadian cuisine and is a key component of oil down. It is a starchy fruit that is often used in Caribbean cooking and provides a hearty base for the dish.
+=== Coconut Milk ===
+[[Coconut milk]] is used to cook the ingredients together, giving the dish its creamy texture and rich flavor. The milk is extracted from grated coconut flesh and is a common ingredient in many Caribbean dishes.
+=== Salted Meat ===
+Salted meat, such as [[saltfish]] or [[salted pork]], is used to add a savory depth to the dish. The meat is usually soaked to remove excess salt before being added to the pot.
+=== Vegetables and Spices ===
+A variety of [[vegetables]] such as [[callaloo]], [[carrots]], and [[onions]] are added to the pot, along with spices like [[thyme]], [[scallions]], and [[pepper]]. These ingredients contribute to the complex flavor profile of oil down.
+== Cooking Method ==
+Oil down is traditionally cooked in a large pot over an open flame. The ingredients are layered in the pot, starting with the salted meat, followed by the breadfruit, vegetables, and spices. Coconut milk is poured over the top, and the pot is covered and left to simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the flavors meld together.
+== Cultural Significance ==
+Oil down is more than just a dish; it is a cultural event in Grenada. It is often prepared for family gatherings, celebrations, and community events. The process of making oil down is communal, with family and friends gathering to prepare the ingredients and cook the meal together.
-== Cultural significance ==
+== Related Pages ==
-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 ==
+* [[Grenadian cuisine]]
-* [[Cuisine of Grenada]]
 * [[Caribbean cuisine]]
-* [[List of national dishes]]
+* [[Breadfruit]]
+* [[Coconut milk]]
-[[Category:National dishes]]
-[[Category:Caribbean cuisine]]
 [[Category:Grenadian cuisine]]
-{{food-stub}}