callaloo

noun cal·la·loo \ ˌka-lə-ˈlü , ˈka-lə-ˌ \

Updated on: 2 Mar 2018

Definition of callaloo

1 : the edible young green leaves of a plant (such as taro or a member of the genus Xanthosoma) of the arum family used as greens

2 : a soup or stew made with greens, onions, and crabmeat or pork

Recent Examples of callaloo from the Web

Island Paradise -- Jerk chicken, Jamaican-style rice and callaloo.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "New Orleans' Caribbean chefs give Jerk Chicken Fest authentic flavor," 16 Jan. 2018
Look for callaloo, a Caribbean green that's often steamed

— stephanie wu, Town & Country, "14 Reasons to Take a Weekend Jaunt to Jamaica," 9 Feb. 2015
The pigweed is also very similar to the amaranth leaves that Jamaicans call callaloo, Cordelli says.

— cindy sutter, The Denver Post, "Weeds to pull, or greens to harvest? Turning edible “weeds” into dinner," 7 Apr. 2017
Besides, my heart is in Asian vegetables, edible perennials, fiddlehead ferns, and callaloo, not flowering shrubs or stringy English beans.

— amanda petrusich, The New Yorker, "A Gardening Book for Those Who Hate Gardening Books," 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'callaloo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of callaloo

Caribbean English, perhaps ultimately of African origin; akin to Caribbean Spanish calalú callaloo (greens and dish), Brazilian Portuguese carurú, Haitian Creole kalalou okra

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1696

See Words from the same year