Ingredients

  • 8 cups water
  • 2 cups conch, pounded with a mallet to tenderize and chopped into small pieces (3/4 - 1 pound, may substitute large shelled clams)
  • 2 tablespoons  shortening(Crisco) or 2 tablespoons bacon fat
  • 2 cups  onions, chopped
  • 2 cups  celery, chopped
  • 1 cup  green pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup  carrot, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3 quarts water
  • 4 potatoes, peeled and diced (4 cups)
  • 1 x 10 ounce can tomato puree
  • 1 x 6 ounce can tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons  fresh oregano, minced (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 3 tablespoons  fresh basil, minced (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • hot pepper sauce
  • salt
  • pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan (soup pot) over high heat, bring conch and 8 cups water to a boil. Drain and set aside.
     
  2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt shortening (or bacon fat). Stir in onion, celery, bell pepper, carrot and garlic and saute until browned. You may have to cook in batches depending on size of skillet. Transfer vegetable to soup pot when cooked.
     
  3. Add drained conch and 3 quarts of water to soup pot along with potatoes, tomato puree, tomato paste, oregano, basil, bay leaves and hot pepper sauce.
     
  4. Put soup pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until conch are tender and potatoes are cooked. Discard bay leaves. Add salt and pepper to taste.

PREP TIME: 20 min
TOTAL TIME: 2 1/2 min
SERVINGS: 6-8

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