Callaloo and Crab

One summer when I was about fourteen there was an illegal outdoor market that sprung up on the corner of Snyder and Brooklyn Avenues in BK.  My family and I must have made it out there at least three times a week for any variety of fruits and prepared foods.  

Among the most memorable street delicacies that summer were Corn Soup and Callaloo & Crab.  At the time neither really interested me, especially since my childhood memories of Callaloo were painful at best.  Not sure what possessed Cheryl to try to force me to eat the slimy okra mush when I was arguably the pickiest eater as a child.  "Mix it with rice" she would say, how about YOU mix it with rice on YOUR plate!!

Moving on... I've since come to the conclusion that Callaloo can't be all that bad since I'm pretty sure that summer I witness my mother and cousin Precious (that's not her name) huddled over one large Styrofoam cup of Callaloo & Crab like it was their last meal.  Crunching and cracking as I wondered what the big deal was.

Needless to say, I can now appreciate their constant craving of this dish.  The crab adds such a fragrant salt to the greens, and with a little pepper, Mmmmm!!

Glad I made extra!

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