Salads
Bajan Breadfruit Salad
Ingredients
- - 1 large breadfruit, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
- - 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- - 1 sweet pepper, finely diced
- - 1 small onion, finely diced
- - 2 spring onions, sliced
- - 150 g (2/3 cup) mayonnaise
- - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- - 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
- - Salt and black pepper, to taste
- - Paprika, for garnish
Method
- Boil the breadfruit chunks in salted water for 20-25 minutes until fork-tender but not falling apart.
- Drain well and allow to cool completely, then cut into bite-sized cubes.
- In a large bowl, combine the breadfruit, chopped egg, sweet pepper, onion and spring onion.
- Fold in the mayonnaise, mustard and parsley, and season with salt and black pepper.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving, dusted with paprika.
Introduction: Breadfruit was famously brought to the Caribbean in the late 18th century, intended as an affordable food source for plantation workers, and has since become deeply woven into Bajan home cooking.
Cultural Background: Breadfruit was famously brought to the Caribbean in the late 18th century, intended as an affordable food source for plantation workers, and has since become deeply woven into Bajan home cooking. Boiled and diced breadfruit tossed with mayonnaise, sweet pepper and pimento makes a cooling, potato-salad-style dish that appears at almost every Bajan Sunday lunch and backyard gathering.
Tips: Let the breadfruit cool fully before dressing, or the mayonnaise will separate. Choose a mature but firm breadfruit for the best texture — overly ripe fruit turns mushy when boiled.
Variations: Add cooked diced carrot for extra colour and sweetness. Use a light yoghurt-mayonnaise blend for a lighter dressing.
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating: This salad is served cold and is not reheated.
Nutrition: Approx. 260 kcal, 6 g protein, 28 g carbohydrates, 14 g fat per serving.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use canned or frozen breadfruit?
A: Yes — thaw or drain first, then proceed as if freshly boiled.
Q: Is this the same as potato salad?
A: It’s prepared very similarly, but breadfruit has a denser, slightly nutty flavour.