Name: Pork Colombo
Eaten in: Martinique
Category: Traditional
If you are wondering where the Colombo from the name of the recipe comes from, it’s not from the famous detective in the series (Columbo turned into Colombo in French), but rather from the capital of Sri Lanka. The spice mix was brought over to the islands by Sri Lankan workers and became a prized addition to stews and other dishes. Now that we’ve sold that mystery, let’s talk about the dish. The rule does hold, this stew like many others is even better the day after. The Colombo powder thickens it and allows the meat, vegetables and sauce to blend together. It is delightful with rice, sweet potatoes or veggies on the side.
Pork Colombo
Print recipeIngredients
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper
- 1lb pork tenderloin
- 1/2 lime
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 bouquet garni ((thyme, parsley, bay leaf tied together))
- 2 tablespoons colombo powder
- 2 carrots
- 1 green squash
- 1 potato
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons roucou oil (annatto oil) or olive oil
- salt and pepper
Directions
| 1. | Marinate pork with the finely chopped onion, juice of 1/2 lemon, 2 garlic cloves and crushed bay leaf. Add salt and pepper. Cover with water and place in the refrigerator for two hours. |
| 2. | Peel and cut the carrots into chunks. Wash and cut the squash into thick slices . Peel potatoes and cut into quarters |
| 3. | In a pan, heat up the oil and fry the pieces of pork after removing them from the marinade. Keep the marinade aside as you will use it later on. |
| 4. | Roast all the pieces on each side but do not let them burn! Add the bouquet garni. Mix and turn for ten minutes. Add a little water if necessary. |
| 5. | Once the meat is well-coated, add the spices, half the marinade juice and the colombo powder. Mix well and simmer for ten minutes |
| 6. | Your sauce should have now taken the beautiful ocher color characteristic of colombo and annatto oil. Add your vegetables : potato, carrot, zucchini and whole allspice avoiding the drill |
| 7. | Cover with water, season to taste and simmer for one hour. Check the water level and top up if necessary. After an hour your pork is cooked and your creamy sauce . Colombo is ready |
| 8. | Traditionally, colombo is eaten accompanied by white rice and sides such as plantains, yams or sweet potatoes |
