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Local food map
Cayenne (French Guiana)
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Soup
Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
300kcal
30gProtein
15gCarbs
15gFat
4gFibre
350 gServing
* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
Calalou
How to order / say it
Say it
Calalou — [Ca-lah-loo]
Order
I'll have the Calalou, please
Locally
Je prendrai le Calalou, s'il vous plaît
Say locally
A hearty soup made with leafy greens and meats.
Why try it?
As a cornerstone of Cayenne's home cooking, Calalou reflects the region’s mix of Afro-Caribbean and Amerindian culinary influences, bringing a comforting taste of local traditions.
How it tastes
Calalou is robust and earthy, featuring tender greens and flavorful meat or fish. The soup is aromatic, with hints of spicy pepper and local herbs.
Origin & History — first documented: 1910
First introduced in the early 20th century, Calalou borrows influences from neighboring Caribbean cultures. Its status as a household favorite in Cayenne is due to its adaptability with whatever ingredients are at hand.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🥕 200 g spinach
- 🥩 300 g smoked ham
- 🥕 100 g okra
- 🧂 10 g hot pepper
- 🧄 100 g onion
- 🧄 20 g garlic
- 🥕 200 g tomatoes
- 1 liter water
Method
- 1 Boil the smoked ham in water for 1 hour to make stock.
- 2 Add greens, okra, and diced tomatoes to the pot.
- 3 Simmer for an additional 30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
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🌿
Dessert
Vegetarian
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