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This Green Banana Jamaican run down aka run dung is completely ital vegan, gluten free, low sodium, and a delicious twist on an island classic!
What is Jamaican Run Down?
Run down aka run dung is a Jamaican method of cooking down mackerel fish in coconut water. It was never a tradition in my household as my Jamaican mother could never stand the texture.
Salted mackerel is boiled while a coconut sauce cooks down and reduces to a custard like texture. It’s a dish that is not as popular as ackee and saltfish or Callao but still enjoyed across the island.
I’ve decided to use similar spices and cooking method and make green banana the star of the dish!
Nearly every yardie (Caribbean person) loves green bananas as a side dish but today, we’re gonna let this magical starch be the main attraction.
This recipe is very simple to make and although not traditional, still shines through with authentic Jamaican flavors.
What You’ll Need- Green Banana Jamaican Run Down
- Cooking Un-ripe Green Bananas– Cannot be the sweet yellow banana!
- Coconut Milk
- Water
- Scallion
- Ginger
- Tomato
- Onion
- Fresh Thyme
- Scotch Bonnet Pepper
- Butter Beans
- Garlic
- Bell Pepper
- Lime or Oil (to prevent bananas from turning black)
Seasonings You Need
- Jamaican All Purpose Powder
- Paprika
- Italian Seasoning
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- No Salt Seasoning
- Black Peper
- Salt
How to make Green Banana Jamaican Rundown
Step One:
Wash all your produce, including the green bananas! Carefully cut off the ends of the bananas and make an incision down the middle. Peel away the skin from all of the green bananas. Take the butter beans out of the can and give them a rinse.
Chop up your bell pepper, scallion, tomato onion. Grate the ginger and garlic. Leave the thyme and scotch bonnet pepper whole.*Note: Do not cut or burst the scotch bonnet! The seeds are extremely spicy and will make the dish too hot if cut.
Step Two:
In a pan, heat some oil and sauté all the cut fresh herbs for about 2 minutes or until fragrant. Add in the dry seasonings and stir for another 1-2 minutes. Now, add in coconut milk and allow this to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Then, add in the peeled bananas along with the butter beans and the water. Allow this to cook for 15-25 minutes.
Step Three:
Gently stir to combine the seasonings and cover the pan. Check to see if more coconut milk or water is needed. The sauce can be thicket or thinner based on preference. Allow everything to cook for the next 5-10 minutes checking in between.
Salt to taste and enjoy.
How to store Green Banana Jamaican Run Down
Green Banana Jamaican run down can store in the fridge for up to 4 days. It cannot stay any longer due to the coconut milk.
If you want it to taste for longer, freeze in an airtight baggie or freezer safe container up to 1.5 weeks.
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