In brief
- Féroce d'avocat is a cold, spicy starter made from mashed avocado, desalted salt cod and cassava flour
- Origin: Martinique, with variations in Guadeloupe
- Key ingredients: avocado, dried salted cod, cassava flour, garlic, Caribbean chilli pepper, lime
- Served as a starter or with drinks, traditionally very spicy
Origins and cultural history of féroce d'avocat
Féroce d'avocat is a traditional Martinique starter, served at family meals and with drinks. Its name comes from its heat: Caribbean chilli pepper is present in quantity, and it is this particular strength that earns the dish the name “féroce” (“fierce”).
The dish combines local produce, avocado and cassava flour, with dried salted cod, a fish imported from Europe since colonial times that has become a staple of Caribbean cooking. It once formed part of the breakfast of Martinican field workers; today, it is also found, shaped into small balls, on cocktail tables. Variations exist from island to island: Guadeloupe offers a creamier version.
What are the essential ingredients of féroce d'avocat
Féroce d'avocat is made with few ingredients, easy to find in an African and Caribbean grocery store, including NKOSI.
- ripe avocado
- dried salted cod
- cassava flour
- garlic
- Caribbean chilli pepper
- lime
What to know about féroce d'avocat
Féroce d'avocat is a cold starter from Martinique made with mashed avocado, desalted salt cod, cassava flour, garlic, lime and West Indian chili pepper. Its name comes from its deliberately strong heat. It is chilled for at least thirty minutes before serving, as a starter or with drinks, sometimes shaped into small balls or served in hollowed-out avocado halves.
Frequently asked questions about féroce d'avocat
Is féroce d'avocat eaten hot or cold?
Cold: the preparation is chilled for at least thirty minutes to an hour before being served, as a starter or with drinks, sometimes shaped into balls or presented in scooped-out avocado shells.
Why is féroce d'avocat called that?
The name comes from the heat of the Caribbean chilli pepper, well present in the traditional recipe. The amount of chilli can be adjusted to taste, but it is this pronounced heat that gave the dish its name.
Where can the ingredients for féroce d'avocat be found in France?
NKOSI sells the lime juice for this recipe on nkosiagro.com and ships it from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
