Conch salad… our favourite Bahamian dish!
Bahamian conch salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that's a popular staple of Bahamian cuisine. Conch is a type of sea snail that's native to the Bahamas, and is served raw in this dish. If you're looking to try your hand at making Bahamian conch salad at home, while vacationing, or on charter… here's a step-by-step guide to help you out.
Ingredients:
1 lb fresh conch, cleaned and diced (If you have caught the conch yourself, please have someone experienced clean it for you or with you.)
1 small green pepper, diced
1 small red onion, diced
1 large tomato, diced
1 small cucumber, diced (Optional)
1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely diced (Optional)
1 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh orange or sour orange juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Begin by cleaning and preparing the conch on a cutting board.
Dice the conch into small pieces and place it in a bowl.
Add the diced green pepper, red onion, tomato, and cucumber to the bowl with the conch.
Finely dice the scotch bonnet pepper and add it to the bowl. Be sure to wear gloves when handling the scotch bonnet pepper, as it's very spicy and can cause irritation if it comes into contact with your skin.
Pour the fresh lime juice and (sour) orange juice over the mixture and stir well to combine.
Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. The acidity and time allows the conch’s toughness to breakdown, making it easier to eat.
Ready to serve? Give it a good stir and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Make sure to serve cold, either on its own as a refreshing snack or as a side dish with grilled fish or another Bahamian plate.
Tips:
Fresh conch can be hard to come by in some areas. If you're unable to find fresh conch in the sea, you can try buying some locally. Either way, please make sure you are buying fully mature conch. This is usually signified by a lip that protrudes out from the shell’s large opening. When the lip runs parallel to the floor when the conch is sitting on the ground, normally signifies maturity. Photos will be provided below.
If you're not a fan of spicy food, you can omit the scotch bonnet pepper or use a milder pepper instead.
To make the salad even more flavorful, you can add chopped cilantro or parsley to the mixture.
Bahamian conch salad is traditionally served with a side of Johnny Cake, which is a type of fried bread. You can find recipes for Johnny Cake online if you'd like to serve it with your conch salad or buy some from a local bakery.
In conclusion, Bahamian conch salad is a simple yet delicious dish that's perfect for anyone who loves seafood and bold, bright flavors. With just a few fresh ingredients and a little bit of preparation, you can whip up a batch of this tasty salad in no time. So go ahead and give it a try - your taste buds will thank you!