| Grenadian foods have been heavily influenced by
East Indian, African and French cooking. The soil is very fertile in Grenada
and the ocean is another source of food. Sharing food and drink are an
important part of family life, and Grenadians try to have at least one
meal every day at which all the family members are present.
Breadfruit, yams, sweet potatoes and cassava (manioc)
are very popular foods. Callaloo is a dish made with meat and dasheen
leaves (also known as taro leaves). Seafood such as conches (lambi),
crabs and shrimps are also popular. Some dishes even use armadillo or iguana
meat. Chili peppers are an integral part of many dishes. |
|
| Breadfruit can be used in many ways. It may be
combined with green bananas to make a dish similar to potato salad. The
breadfruit flower is eaten with sugar, and the fruit can be made into flour.
A favourite Grenadian dish is "oil down," made with breadfruit cooked in
coconut milk and spiced with Grenadian saffron (turmeric). The sap of the
breadfruit tree is used to make glue and coffins are made out of the wood.
Children even use young breadfruit to play cricket. |
| Did
you know?
The leatherback turtles come to Grenadian
shores to lay their eggs in April, May and June. Turtle soup and turtle
eggs are considered delicacies. |
|
| Nutmeg and fresh mace are the most popular spices.
Nutmeg is the seed of the fruit of the nutmeg tree. Mace is a red membrane
that covers the nutmeg kernel inside the fruit. When the mace is dried,
it fades to a yellowish-orange. It is used for seasoning wine, sauces,
soups, stews and seafood. Cookies and cakes are also flavoured with this
pungent spice. Nutmeg is used to flavour drinks like eggnog, milk drinks,
rum punches and wines. |
|
| Red
Beans and Rice
Ingredients
Red Beans and Rice
2 tbsp butter
250 ml green pepper
250 ml onion, chopped
2 tbsp garlic, minced
750 ml chicken, turkey or vegetable
stock
1 litre cooked kidney beans
4 bay leaves
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
250 g smoked turkey or ham
Preparation
Melt butter in a large pot. Add peppers,
onion, garlic and saute‚ until translucent. Add all the other ingredients,
one at a time, while stirring. Cook over moderate heat for 20 minutes.
Cook rice separately. Serve beans on hot, cooked rice. |
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