Simple and Easy Recipe from Haiti

Stuck at home due to COVID-19? Ready for some fresh inspiration in the kitchen? We thought it would be fun to share a simple and easy recipe from Haiti! We picked a traditional recipe that would be easy to find, inexpensive, and has healthy ingredients. If you make this recipe, please post a picture and tag us @mohcaribbean on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. 

Haiti: Pikliz

Pikliz is a traditional Haitian condiment often served with chicken, fish, rice, or fried plantains. It also happens to be a Mission of Hope staff favorite! This is an inexpensive and easy recipe that will add some spice to your life.  

Ingredients

2 small carrots

1 small head of white cabbage

1 medium tomato

1 small onion

2 scotch bonnet or habanero peppers 

3 Tbsp white vinegar

1 cube of chicken bouillon

1 tsp salt

1 ½ Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions

1. Peel and grate the carrots with the small side of a cheese grater. 

2. Shred the cabbage into thin shavings with a sharp knife. Toss the carrots and cabbage together in a bowl.

3. Crush the peppers, including the seeds, using a mortar and pestle, to make a paste. 

4. Add chicken bouillon and salt to the paste.

5. Mash again in the mortar to mix. Stir in vinegar. 

6. Pour over the carrots and cabbage mixture.

7. Squeeze the lime juice over the mixture, removing seeds as needed.

8. Toss well to evenly coat. 

9. Thinly slice tomatoes and onions and place on top of mixture. Cover and let sit for a few hours at room temperature to let the flavors mix. 

In Haiti, we love to eat pikliz in our open air dining areas on campus as we enjoy the great company of locals, staff members, and mission trip team members. Its refreshing crunch is a great hot weather treat, and the healthy vegetables and vinegar balance out heavy or greasy food.