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Believe it or not, ackee punch is a thing and it tastes absolutely delicious! Ackee has a surprising amount of health benefits that are not talked about enough so today we’re going to indulge and make a creamy Jamaican ackee punch!
This ackee punch is so smooth and deliciously creamy, and the beverage you didn’t know you needed in your life! Beloved in Jamaica and all throughout the Caribbean, ackee is literally PACKED with health benefits!
Want to learn more about what ackee is, proper preparation, where to buy and its health benefits?
Check out this article that goes into depth about “what is ackee?” !
Yes, ackee tastes delicious cooked up and served alongside fry dumpling but did you know all the health benefits the come with ackee? It is loaded with antioxidants, rich in vitamin C, and so much more!
What Is Ackee?- Jamaican Ackee Punch
Ackee is a fruit that is native to West Africa that was brought over to the Caribbean when West African people were kidnapped, brought to the islands, and forced into enslavement.
Although the history or the fruit and the Caribbean as a whole is a bit heavy, ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and one of the most popular foods you’ll find in the entire island.
Ackee is typically cooked with salt fish and served alongside ‘boiled food” (green banana, dumpling, potato, yam, etc). It has a custard like feel and texture and tastes absolutely delicious when cooked in a savour dish despite it being a fruit.
However- let’s remember that ackee is indeed a fruit! Jamaicans get super creative with our punch recipes (like Peanut Punch or Pumpkin Punch).
So today let’s try something different and make a delicious and nutritious Jamaican Ackee punch!
What You’ll Need- Jamaican Ackee Punch
- Ackee
- Coconut Milk
- Vegan Condensed Milk
- Nutmeg
- Water
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
- Almond Extract (Optional)
One super important ingredient in this recipe is vegan condensed milk! If you can’t find it in any stores new your, learn how to make my easy 2 ingredient coconut condensed milk. Otherwise, you a sub with agave syrup but it may not taste the same.
How to make Ackee Punch
Step One:
If you are using canned ackee, thoroughly wash it using a fine strainer and running water. Boil with water for 10 – 15 minutes. Then, allow excess water to strain and drip and cool down.
If you are using fresh ackee, high chances are you’re Jamaican/Caribbean, go ahead and clean, cook, and par boil it.
If you’re not Jamaican that has some-how gotten their hands on fresh ackee, clean the fruit properly. Be sure to only use ackee that has naturally opened in its pod- otherwise it is poisonous and deadly. Never attempt to force open ackee from its pod. Clean off the pink membrane and remove the black pod form the middle. Once each ackee piece is clean, boil in in water for about 20 minutes until it is cooked and allow to cool down.
Step Two:
Place the cooked and cleaned ackee in a blender along with the other ingredients and blend until everything is well combined.
You may have to add more coconut milk, be sure to adjust the sweetness with more or less vegan condensed milk.
Step Three:
Serve chilled over ice and enjoy!
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Check out these other Jamaican Punch recipes you’ll also love
Jamaican Ackee Punch
Ingredients
- 1 Can Ackee regular can in USA, "big" tin in UK
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla
- 1.5 Cup Vegan Condensed Milk less or more TO TATSE
- 1.5 – 2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
- 3.5 Cups Coconut Milk
- 1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract optional adds a sweet flavor
- 1 – 1.5 Cups Water
Instructions
- *If you are using canned ackee, thoroughly wash it using a fine strainer and running water. Boil with water for 10 – 15 minutes. Then, allow excess water to strain and drip and cool down.**If you are using fresh ackee, high chances are you're Jamaican, go ahead and clean and cook this and parboil it. ***If you're not Jamaican that has somehow gotten their hands on fresh ackee, be sure to clean the fruit properly. Only use ackee that has naturally opened/ripened in its pod, never try to force open ackee in its pod- otherwise it is poisonous and deadly. Clean off the pink membrane and remove the black pod form the middle. Once each ackee piece is clean, boil in in water for about 20 minutes until it is cooked and allow to cool down.
- Place the cooked and cleaned ackee in a blender along with the other ingredients and blend until everything is well combined. You may have to add more coconut milk, be sure to adjust the sweetness with more or les vegan condensed milk.
- Serve chilled over ice and enjoy!
