Description

You can find Callaloo all around our beautiful Island of St Maarten,  of us don’t know how to identify the plant as it lingers all round our back yards. Take a good look at the photo below and you mabe be able to reap the benefit of whats laying rither there in you own back yard>

Where it Grows – Callaloo is a plant that grows in the Caribbean and also in other tropical places in the world such as Puerto Rico, Jamaica (Very Well Known in Jamacia), Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Virgin Islands, Philippines, Florida, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

Other Names – In the Caribbean it is also called malanga and the roots are eaten, and some times called calalu and other spellings. It is also called Xanthosoma rosem and Chinese Spinach. It has lots of different names and some call it the same as the greens of taro root… but it’s slightly different. 

Contains – A 1/2 cup of cooked Callaloo leaves contains less than 50 calories, 6.5 mgs of fiber, over 300 mgs of calcium, over 500 mgs of potassium, over 3 mgs of iron, over 3.5 mgs of protein, and some sodium. Callaloo contains 4 times the amount of calcium found in broccoli and twice the iron. Also contains Vitamin C for boosting up your immune system, B Vitamins for good mood and vitality, and Vitamin A which is a great antioxidant. 

Great Protein – Callaloo is full of protein such as arginine, histidine, cystine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan, valine, glutamic acid, alanine, aspartic acid, glycine, praline, plus tyrosine and serine. Callaloo is a good source of protein and thus it’s great for building muscle. 

Fiber – The fiber in Callaloo helps to prevent constipation and create a good environment for growth of probiotic bacteria thus boosting your immune system.

Weight Loss – Callaloo by it self it’s great for weight loss, but many times it’s combined with fattening coconut milk. But it can also be saute’ with garlic for a low calorie recipe. 

Taste – Callaloo tastes similar to spinach but with a creamy flavor. 

Lots of Antioxidants – Callaloo contains lots of powerful antioxidants to boost up your immune system and repair and prevent DNA damage. Also helps to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and cancer. 

Easy to Grow – Callaloo is easy to grow and lots areas that have lots of rain. 

Juicing – Callaloo can also be juiced and thus you get all the great green chlorophyl that is very healing. 

How to Used – Callaloo can be cooked with meats, fish, shellfish, chicken, turkey, and just about anything dish where you would use spinach. In Tranidad callaloo is cooked with okra, some kind of meat, coconut milk, and hot peppers for a very tasty dish. Callaloo makes a great veggie lasagna and can be used with cheese and made into casseroles and other dishes. It can be made into dips, soups, even rice dishes of all kinds.