Provision and Saltfish

Name: Provision and Saltfish
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Trinidadian
Ingredients: 1 lb salt cod fish, soaked and flaked; 2 lbs yams, cubed; 1 lb dasheen (or taro root), cubed; 1 lb potatoes, cubed; 1/2 cup onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup canned diced tomatoes; 2 tsp fresh thyme; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 3 tbsp olive oil; 6 cups water; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

A traditional Trinidadian comfort dish pairing salt-cured fish with starchy root vegetables like yams and dasheen, simmered together in a flavorful broth with aromatics and herbs.

65 minMediumServes 4380 cal/serving

TrinidadianDinnerStovetopStandard

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Ingredients

1 lb salt cod fish, soaked and flaked
2 lbs yams, cubed
1 lb dasheen (or taro root), cubed
1 lb potatoes, cubed
1/2 cup onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
2 tsp fresh thyme
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 tbsp olive oil
6 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1

Soak 1 lb soaked and flaked salt cod fish in cold water for 12 hours or overnight, changing the water several times to remove excess salt.
2

Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 4 cloves minced garlic, cooking until softened, about 2 minutes.
3

Stir in 1 cup canned diced tomatoes and 2 tsp fresh thyme, cooking for 2 minutes.
4

Add 2 lbs cubed yams, 1 lb cubed dasheen (or taro root), and 1 lb cubed potatoes, stirring to coat with oil.
5

Pour in 6 cups water, bringing to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
6

Gently add the flaked salt cod fish, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes until all vegetables are fork-tender and salt cod fish is heated through.
7

Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot in bowls with plenty of broth.

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Questions

What is Provision and Saltfish?

A traditional Trinidadian comfort dish pairing salt-cured fish with starchy root vegetables like yams and dasheen, simmered together in a flavorful broth with aromatics and herbs. This reference files it under Trinidadian dinner: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 65 minutes start to finish.

What should Provision and Saltfish look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 5: cook until the vegetables begin to soften. Step 6: cook until all vegetables are fork-tender and salt cod fish is heated through.

What can I use instead of cilantro in Provision and Saltfish?

The entry for Provision and Saltfish calls for 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped. In its place: Flat-leaf parsley with a squeeze of lime, for anyone who tastes soap. The dish loses its signature note but stays fresh.

Does Provision and Saltfish contain fish?

Yes: 1 lb salt cod fish, soaked and flaked. The full allergen list for this entry is fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Which part of Provision and Saltfish can be done ahead?

Everything up to step 1. Step 1 is a built-in pause of 12 hours: "Soak 1 lb soaked and flaked salt cod fish in cold water for 12 hours or overnight, changing the water several times to remove excess salt." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 2 when you are ready to finish.

Serve it with

Coo Coo side
Farofa side
Cornbread Salad salad

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