Conch salad : How to prepare this Bahamian delicious dish

 

Conch salad is a popular dish in the Bahamas and other Caribbean regions. It's a refreshing and tangy seafood salad typically made with conch, a type of marine mollusk. Here's a basic recipe for conch salad:

Ingredients:

- Fresh conch meat (about 1 pound), cleaned and diced into small pieces

- Bell peppers (usually green and red), finely chopped

- Onion, finely chopped

- Tomatoes, diced

- Jalapeño pepper, minced (adjust to your spice preference)

- Fresh lime juice (about 4-5 limes)

- Orange juice (about 1/4 cup)

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start by cleaning the conch meat. Remove any tough parts and skin, and dice it into small, bite-sized pieces.

2. In a large bowl, combine the diced conch, chopped bell peppers, finely chopped onion, diced tomatoes, and minced jalapeño pepper. You can adjust the amount of jalapeño to your desired level of spiciness.

3. Squeeze fresh lime juice and orange juice over the mixture. The citrus juices are essential for "cooking" the conch. The acid from the juices helps tenderize the meat. Make sure the conch pieces are well-covered by the juices.

4. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add fresh cilantro or parsley for extra flavor.

5. Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined. The conch should turn opaque and tender as it "cooks" in the citrus juices. This typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour in the refrigerator.

6. Once the conch is tender and opaque, your conch salad is ready to serve. You can garnish it with additional cilantro or parsley if desired.

Conch salad is typically served as a refreshing appetizer or light meal, often accompanied by some traditional Bahamian sides like fried plantains or johnnycake. Enjoy!