every January 1st since, all Haitians, no matter where they are in the world, eat this dish in remembrance of their independence.
Prep time: 20 minutes • Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. Olive oil
1 cup onion (small dice)
6 cup water
1 cup butternut squash (peeled and cut into 1” cubes)
1 sweet potato (peeled 1” cubes)
2 carrots (2” cut)
1 celery (1” cut)
1½ cup cabbage (1” slice)
1–14 oz. can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1–14 oz. can red beans (rinsed and drained)
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. cloves
¼ tsp. nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
4 oz. spaghetti (broken into 2” pieces)
2 Tbsp. Parsley (sliced)
3 Tbsp. scallions (sliced thin)
Directions:
Prepare all of the ingredients as directed. In a medium stock pot, heat the oil, add the onion, and sauté for 1 minute. Add the water and the squash to the pan, bring to a boil, and then reduce to medium heat for 10 minutes. Purée the squash mixture in a food processor and then return to the pan. Add all remaining ingredients except the spaghetti, parsley, and scallions. Bring the pot to a medium boil and then reduce the heat to low. During this process, you may need to add water. Cook for 10–15 minutes until the potatoes are crisp and tender. Add the spaghetti and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the pasta is al dente in texture. Serve in warm bowls and garnish with parsley and scallions.
Remmi Notes: This pot of golden goodness is nothing but great comfort food. Need I say more? Add some crusty bread and you have a heavenly combination.
jamaica
Just southwest of Haiti and across the Jamaica Channel is the third largest island in the Caribbean, where the average temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Jamaica is known for its snowy white sand beaches with more than 700 caves to explore. The island has a variety of culinary influences—African, French, Spanish, Chinese, British, and Indian food have all contributed to Jamaican cuisine. Reggae dance and music comes from Jamaica, as did the late Bob Marley, who was internationally known for his reggae music.
There is a style of cooking meats in Jamaica called “jerk.” It can be either dry or wet, but either way has very spicy seasoning, which usually includes allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers. Ackee and Saltfish is one of the main dishes served in Jamaica. Ackee is a tree fruit which has been described as having a texture like butter. If this fruit is not handled properly in the ripening and cooking processes, it has toxins that can literally kill you. Ackee is banned by the US FDA…so there’s no Ackee and Saltfish on this menu. I do have a popular Jamaican seafood dish, Curry Shrimp and Rice, for you.
Prep time: 15 minutes • Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cups basmati rice (or else long grain—prepare as directed)
1½ lb. large shrimp (peeled and deveined with tails intact)
1½ Tbsp olive oil
1 medium size onion (medium dice)
2 garlic cloves (crushed)
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
½ cup celery (medium dice)
2 tsp. curry powder
1½ cup tomatoes (medium dice)
1 green bell pepper (julienned)
1 cup coconut milk
1½ cup vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. basil (chiffonade)
4 Tbsp. green onion (sliced thin on bias)
Directions:
Prepare all of the ingredients as directed. In a medium pan, prepare the rice as directed. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil, and add the onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, celery, and curry. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, bell pepper, milk, and broth. Bring heat to a medium boil and then turn down and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook 4-5 minutes more until the shrimp is cooked through. Serve with steamed rice and garnish with basil and green onion.
Remmi Notes: This is a very quick dish to make. Often it’s served with a national rice dish that is called “rice and peas,” which is rice is mixed with “pigeon peas” or kidney beans. Pigeon peas are difficult to find, but you can add a can of kidney beans to make this dish more authentic. This dish would go great with a cool and refreshing side of tropical sliced fruit like mango or papaya. Enjoy!
Puerto rico
Leaving Jamaica, we sail east to our final island in the Greater Antilles. Puerto Rico is a popular vacation spot with more than 270 miles of beaches. The temperature is in the 70–80 degrees Fahrenheit range all year long. Its culture has been influenced by several others, including Spanish and African. Their cuisine uses many spices, making for very flavorful dishes. They highlight fresh foods in all of their meals. In Puerto Rico, the cuisine is known as cocina criolla, or “creole cuisine.” Locals are very friendly and hospitable.
On special holidays and at most family celebrations, Lechon Asado, a whole roasted pig, will be the main fare. A famous place to have roasted pig is Guavate, located in the central mountains. The road leading to this area is La Ruta De Lechon, which translates to “Pork Highway.” Along this highway, you can experience Lechoneras, which are rustic eateries featuring roasted pig. Local families often go to this area on weekends.
While I didn’t bring you a Lechon Asado Family Feast, I have still brought you a delicious feast filled with many Puerto Rican favorites. Most meals start with a soup, and the most well-known soup is black bean. Besides roast pork, the locals love chicken, and Arroz con Pollo is the favored chicken and rice dish. Coconut is used often with dishes involving fruit.
