Ackee

Ackee is a fruit grown plentifully in the Caribbean. It is regarded as a food in some Caribbean Island.However some countries will not touch it for consumption. It is believed to be foods for birds.Some countries actually warn their citizens not to consume it and they may just have a cause to do so.

Not everyone can eat the fruit because it contains a toxin that may prove deadly to some individuals who are allergic to this toxin. One should not take the consumption of ackees carelessly. The fruit must be opened on its own, preferably on the tree, in this way the toxin is released naturally. The fruit contain a red membrane that connects the fruit to the pod. This must be completely removed for this too can contain the toxin.

Ackees must be cooked in lots of water and this broth must be thrown away and not consumed since some of the toxins that remain is pass out into the water. Ackees must never be boiled with other foods in the same pot for these foods may absorb the toxins.

Jamaica was one of the first Caribbean county that used the ackee as food .It is liked by so many Jamaicans that it was chosen to form a part of the national dish when The country gained independence in 1962

Ackee and codfish along with roasted breadfruit goes to make up the Jamaican national dish. Though regarded as dangerous the fruit is eaten by almost every Jamaicans and individuals who comes to the island crave this dish of ackee and codfish. Nutritionally the fruit is made up of mostly fats and should be eaten with carbohydrates to be digested properly.

If you come to the island make sure you buy raw ackee that are in pods that are wide opened. Be wary of buying cooked ackees from places that are not reputable. If you buy ackees in the pods the pods must not feel sticky. There are individuals who in their effort to make quick money especially drug addicts use sharp blades to open the unready fruit, these ackees if eaten will poison .

Do not buy already shelled ackees make sure they are in a pods that are wide opened. Recently there have been an unusual rise in ackee related deaths in the island. This baffles the medical authorizes since the autopsies revealed a result that has never been associate with ackees poisoning. before. This was seen not only in one area but in various areas over the island. Jamaican are now on alert and pay much more attention to where and how they acquire the fruit .

Individuals have used the ackee in various ways, , raw , cooked ,such as ackee and cod fish, ackee and pork, ackee fritters, quiche, patty, ackee punch, and ackee stew. The fruit can be preserved for future use. Some individuals blanch then freeze them. Others cleaned them and pour oil over them and freeze them raw. Which ever way you store and eat it , the fruit does make an interesting meal, but please be cautious in its use.

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