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I assume fish would be the most economical meal
what kind of fish?
could I just walk up to a fisherman and buy dinner? or Is a fish market a better idea?
What about fishing myself? I've done it in Pa. I'd have to learn how to clean them properly
Any suggestions for local side dishes? (I'll be coming down with my eastern European inherited high blood pressure/high cholesterol- so low sodium please)
About preparation- I have this romantic notion of digging a hole in the sand or dirt and cooking "camping style"
not every day,once in a while just to say I did
Does anyone know how I would go about doing this? (I would want to avoid a citation for open-air burning or threat of burning down a tropical island-whatever category that falls into)
Can anyone give me an idea of traditional us vi cuisine and its preparation?
Posted : February 27, 2007 10:34 pm
On subject of catching and eating yr own fish - please just check this out http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap36.htmle
My husband was Nurse Practitioner on StX and saw a significant number of patients with this. He advises deep water fish only, tuna etc. - not the inshore or reef dwellers.
He also pointed out that the roadside fisherman's fare is also a bit of a lottery - the fish market is a better bet.
Posted : February 27, 2007 11:53 pm
There is a really nice book by Amy Mackay called the "Cruzan Cookbook." It has most of the the classic local recipes. However, alot of local foods are not particularly low-fat, low cholesterol. Popular side-dishes like provisions like plaintain, banana, potato, yams and stuff like that are very starchy.
Fish you have to be careful with because of cigueterra which is a neurotoxin found in some reef fish. I personally do not eat local reef fish like Parrotfish or small snappers or Barracuda because of the risk. The risk is small, but then again, not that uncommon. If you were out fishing with a spear gun off the shore which I would expect to be the most economical way of fishing unless you already have a boat, these are the fish you would tend to catch.
For deeper sea fish (which I do eat) there is grouper and tuna and wahoo and others. The freshest option would be to walk up to the fisherman pier and asking what is available. Although you can get some fresh fish at Plaza, though that would be more expensive.
Lastly, please please please do not set fires on the beaches, or dig cooking holes in the sand. Sea turtle nesting season is almost in full swing all over the island. Many nests are quite deep and you probably wouldn't reach them, but the heat in the sand would be lethal to the eggs. The primary nesting beaches are clearly marked with signs, but in the past couple of years there have been quite a few turtles who do not pay attention to the signs and will nest wherever they feel like it. They are endangered and every egg counts towards their survival. Thanks!
Posted : February 27, 2007 11:56 pm
christie: Even cheaper are mutton, chicken parts and maybe pig snouts. Read up about coal pot cooking, which is the traditional method. West Indian cooking is a lot like southern cooking. Fried, lots of starchy items, gravy and sauce on everything. You haven't lived until you have had a nice bowl of chicken soup with the whole pieces of chicken, homemade dumplings, pumpkin, noodles, local sweet potato, carrots...yum! Comfort food for sure. 🙂
Mama bake a johnny cake, Christmas comin'!!!
Posted : February 28, 2007 1:41 am
jane
I can't thank you enough
my stomach especially thanks you......eeeeek!
Posted : February 28, 2007 2:06 am
god bless you for looking out for the turtles
now I know the deal
thanks
Posted : February 28, 2007 2:11 am
I'm researching traditional West Indian coal pot cooking
I see a future full of recipe sampling invites
Posted : February 28, 2007 2:16 am
