Conch Stew

One of our favorite Gullah cuisine recipes is Conch Stew. Conch isn’t always available here on Hilton Head but you can check Barnacle Bill's Fresh Seafood Market located at 614 William Hilton Pkwy. Once you get your fresh conch, you’ll need this recipe!

Ingredients:

·      2 lbs conch, cleaned and diced

·      1 onion, chopped

·      2 bell peppers, chopped

·      3 cloves of garlic, minced

·      2 tomatoes, diced

·      2 cups coconut milk

·      4 cups fish or vegetable broth

·      1 tbsp thyme

·      1 tbsp paprika

·      1 tbsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

·      Salt and pepper to taste

·      2 tbsp olive oil

·      Juice of 1 lime

·      Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are soft and translucent. Add the diced conch to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the tomatoes, thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Pour in the coconut milk and broth. Bring the stew to a simmer and let it cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the conch is tender.

Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if needed. Squeeze in the lime juice and stir to combine. Serve the conch stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with rice or crusty bread.

This hearty conch stew is full of flavor!