Curries are made all over the world using locally grown ingredients and I love them all! I'm not traveling to Jamaica again this year but that's not stopping me from bringing the island flavors to my table. Eggplant, christophene (aka Chayote squash) and an unripe green papaya all lend their unique flavors to this delectable dish. Lots of onion, garlic and curry powder make this curry really stand out. Simmered in coconut milk, the chicken just melts in your mouth. Served over cooked rice, this takes me right back to the islands!This recipe came from a cookbook I bought many years ago in Jamaica. Oddly, there is no author listed, but it has some wonderful recipes. Of course, I gave it my own twist!
6-8pieceschicken3-4 drumsticks and 3-4 thighs, trimmed
2onions, choppedabout 1 cup
1largegarlic clove, minced
1jalapeno, minced
2Tbspcurry powder
8ozeggplant, peeled and cubed
1christophene, peeled and cubedChayote squash
1unripegreen papaya, peeled and sliced
2plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2cupchicken broth
1cupcanned coconut milk
2Tbsplime juicefresh is best
1-1/2tspsalt
1/2tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
Heat the oil in a large 12 inch skillet. Add the chicken pieces and fry over medium heat until brown on all sides. Remove from the skillet and place in a large heavy bottomed kettle.
Add the onions, garlic and jalapeno to the skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat until onions are soft and golden.
Stir in the curry powder and stir for a couple of minutes to get the raw flavor out.
Add the eggplant, christophene, papaya and tomatoes and cook for about 3 minutes.
It should look like this. So yummy and aromatic!
Spoon the vegetable mixture over the chicken in the kettle and stir in the chicken broth and coconut milk.
Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Stir in the lime juice, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust salt as needed.