Bahamian Conch Chowder - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola oil)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium potato, peeled and chopped (Sweet Potato or Yucca is good)
1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 6 sprigs of fresh)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3 bay leaves
1 (16 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can clam juice
2 cups cold water
1 lb conch, defrosted (chopped frozen,, or 16 oz chopped clams with liquid)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (or 1 tbsp malt)
6 sprigs parsley, chopped
4 scallions, minced
salt
cayenne pepper

Preparation

Heat the oil in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Saute the onion, celery, carrots, red pepper, potato, thyme, red chili flakes, allspice, and bay leaves for 5 minutes, until they began to soften.
Add the tomatoes, clam juice, and cold water. Bring to a boil and immediately lower to a simmer.
If using defrosted conch meat, add now and cook for 35 minutes, uncovered. Then add the malt or red wine vinegar, parsley, scallions, salt, and cayenne pepper, and simmer 5 minutes.
If using chopped clams, add now along with the malt or red wine vinegar, parsley, scallions, salt, and cayenne pepper, and simmer 5 minutes longer.