Ghana Akotonshi (Stuffed Crabs)

Step 1

If cooking whole crabs, clean them and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add in the ginger, cloves and the crab, cook for 15 minutes. Remove crabs and meat, keep shells for plating. If using just crab meat Mix crab meat with ¼ cup water that has been boiled with the ginger piece and cloves for 15 minutes.

Step 2

Drain water, flake the meat and set aside.

Step 3

In a heavy pot, heat oil to medium temperature and add other ingredients in the following sequence, stirring for a minute or so between each: onions, ground ginger, tomatoes, tomato paste, green pepper, cumin, nutmeg, thyme, grains of paradise, paprika, mashed peppers, and dried shrimp.

Step 4

Reduce heat and simmer for 4 – 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until vegetables are cooked.

Step 5

Add crab meat and stir another couple of minutes to heat it through.

Step 6

Then spoon the mixture into clean crab shells or ramekins (small individual baking dishes).

Step 7

Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of each crab and toast under an oven broiler, being careful not to let the crumbs scorch.

Step 8

Garnish with parsley.