Vincentian Buljol (Saltfish Salad)
In short: Vincentian buljol: shredded salt cod tossed with fresh tomato, onion, sweet pepper, lime and olive oil, then rested. A cool breakfast or brunch dish. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 12 h 20 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 320 kcal
In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, buljol is a cool salad of shredded salted cod, most often eaten at breakfast or brunch. The fish is soaked and simmered to draw out the salt, flaked into fine strands, then tossed with fresh tomato, onion, sweet pepper, olive oil and lime. A short rest lets the flavors come together. Serve it with bread, crackers or fried plantain.
Instructions
- Put the salt cod in a bowl, cover with cold water and soak in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours, changing the water 3 times.
- Drain, then simmer the cod in fresh water for 10 minutes. Drain well, cool until you can handle it, and remove the skin and bones.
- Flake the fish into fine strands with your fingers. Squeeze the flakes in a clean towel to remove extra water, then taste a piece. It should be pleasantly salty, not harsh.
- In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, hot pepper, garlic and thyme leaves.
- Add the flaked fish, olive oil, lime juice and black pepper. Toss gently until everything is coated.
- Cover and chill for 20 to 30 minutes so the flavors blend. Taste and add more lime or pepper, but hold back on salt.
- Serve cool or at room temperature, with bread, crackers or fried plantain.
Tips
- Do not skip the simmer. Soaking alone leaves most cod too salty, and a 10-minute boil draws out the rest. Taste a flake before mixing and soak longer if needed.
- Squeeze the flaked fish dry before mixing. Wet fish waters down the tomatoes and dulls the dressing.
Questions and answers
Is buljol served hot or cold?
Buljol is served cool or at room temperature. Some cooks warm the fish briefly in oil with garlic and herbs before mixing, but the finished dish is not served hot.
How long does buljol keep?
Store it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flavors deepen, but the tomatoes soften, so stir in a little fresh lime juice before serving.
What do you serve with buljol?
Bread, crackers and fried plantain are all common. In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines it is eaten at breakfast or brunch, and sometimes as a light lunch.
How long does it take to make Vincentian Buljol (Saltfish Salad)?
About 30 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Vincentian Buljol (Saltfish Salad)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 44 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 44 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
