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Chicken Souse

This is the first Bahamian recipe on stonedsoup.net! Souse has it’s origins not from the Bahamas, but from old English and Germanic cooking methods meant to preserve meat with acidity. When the Bahamas were a European slave colony, the sour juice of the preserved meat was stretched thin, becoming a broth for soup with leftover scraps. Souse evolved through ingredients indigenous to the Bahamas such as limes instead of vinegar, and hot peppers. Traditionally, pigs feet is the protein used in preparation, but chicken parts and feet are also used for chicken souse. Souse is considered to be the ultimate hangover food. The spice and sourness of the broth will wake up the most sloshed of the sloshed.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 20 minutes
Marinating Time1 day
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Bahamian, Caribbean
Keyword: Bahamian, Caribbean, Chicken, main course
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken drumsticks
  • 1 lb chicken feet nails clipped
  • 3/4 cup lime juice
  • 3 habanero chopped
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp allspice berries
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 large white onion chopped
  • 2 large carrots peeled and chopped
  • 2 ribs celery chopped
  • 2 large potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 1 tbsp thyme
  • 8 cups water

Instructions

  • Mix together the lime juice, habanero, salt, allspice berries, peppercorns, and bay leaves.
    Bahamian, main course, chicken
  • Pour into a gallon sized storage bag along with the drumsticks and feet. Marinate for 24 hours.
    Bahamian, main course, chicken
  • Remove the drumsticks and feet from the storage bag, reserving all of the marinade. Heat up cooking oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Sear the drumsticks on all sides for 10 minutes. Set aside.
    Bahamian, main course, chicken
  • Sauté the chicken feet for 5 minutes until browned. Set aside.
    Bahamian, main course, chicken
  • Add in the onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes.
    Bahamian, main course, chicken
  • Add in the potatoes, thyme, drumsticks, feet, and the reserved marinade.
    Bahamian, main course, chicken
  • Pour in enough water to cover the chicken; about 6-8 cups. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for an hour.
    Bahamian, main course, chicken