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Ok, I'd been following *gasp's* thread and the subject turned a bit culinary, so I thought I'd start this.
As I mentioned in the previous post, I love different foods, as do some of you, from the sound of it, so I wanted to ask a couple of questions on the subject.
As a potential newcomer to the island (STX), on a level from 1 to 10, what would most of you say my shock/disappointment level will be on a first visit to a supermarket? I'm in Atlanta, so the skies the limit here. I have aisles dedicated to specific ethnic food stuffs and farmers markets that still overwhelm me. What say you?
Are there places to buy good ingredients? Thai curry pastes? Indian pastes? A good butcher? Boneless skinless chicken breast? Basmati or Jasmine rice?
I noticed a seed thread, but should go back and read all of it. Are seeds hard to find? I try and grow a few things, mainly basil, oregano, rosemary, and hot chilies, so would I want to stock up before making a move? What about planting? Anything I'd want a heads up on beforehand? Oh... what about garlic? Very important, this one! Plentiful? Please say "yes".
And... I have to ask about seafood. One assumes on an island, it's everywhere and dirt cheap, but this is never the case. I do dive and would like to try my hand at harvesting from the sea on occasion, but wanted some input from those in the know. Do any of you regular posters fish, spear fish, or dive for lobster? When is lobster season? What are some average market prices for fish/shellfish?
Thanks in advance for answers. I'll be waiting... knife and fork in hand.
Posted : April 14, 2005 11:18 am
I'll bet you frequent "Harry's", a gourmet cook's haven! I'm in Atlanta, too - Harry's is my Friday afternoon stop for provisions for the weekend. I'm anxious to see responses to this because I'm hoping to find something on St. Thomas that is the equivalent, or close thereto, of Harry's. Otherwise, I'll have to get my gear out and dive for some of it too.
Ang
Posted : April 14, 2005 12:41 pm
Hi, Steve
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I can only speak for St. Thomas (which has Gourmet Gallery, among other places, for curry pastes, etc.). STX posters can let you know about STX.
"Normal" grocery stores have boneless skinless chicken breast, garlic, etc. The stores here, in my experience, are a little less shiny/stocked/consistent than stateside stores, but they are fine. The biggest thing that I had to get used to was not having my heart set on particular ingredients. You'll read a lot on this board about going to 3 or 4 different stores to get what you want- and even that sometimes doesn't work! It's part of the adjustment- some things just don't go as you plan here, and you have to roll with the punches. The view and the lifestyle make it worthwhile. 🙂
Since the "seeds" thread was started, I have found a wide variety of fruit, vegetable, herb and flower seeds here on STT. If there are heirloom or special varieties that you want, buy them stateside and bring them down. The only heads-up on planting that I can think of is be prepared to water the heck out of your plants- and remember that water is precious here! Cold-weather varieties don't do very well, from what I've experienced. But everything else is growing like wildfire for me.
I don't know anything about lobster catching. If you post a list of fish you're interested in re: pricing, I'd be happy to write down what I find at STT stores next time I'm there. I've found tuna, tilapia, etc to be fairly reasonable.
Best of luck with your move!
Kind regards,
LR
Posted : April 14, 2005 11:55 pm
Topic starter
Thanks LR,
Talked to a resident today, actually, and got a good bit of info on what's available on STX, although they don't dive, so she couldn't really fill me in on that bit. Sounds like I'll be able to locate what I need here and there to be content, but I'll still stock up on a few things when the time comes. I'd like to get a few varieties of nice hot chilies going, which should do well in the climate, and I think the herbs will be fine, too.
Also took note of your mention about the water, so I looked at the cistern thread. Ahhh... another thing to start thinking about. Do a lot of folks collect rain water for their plant watering needs, or does this pose a big time mosquito problem? I know it does here. I have to empty the bird bath a few times a week in the summer because of the larva. Needless to say, my brilliant plan of putting a 55 gal drum under the downspout didn't work out at all, although I'm sure it kept the bats happy for a while.
Ok, back to the food. Got the scoop on chicken, now what about red meat? Got cows down there? I think I saw you do. Can someone give me the latest market price on a sirloin? NY or STX strip? I know it'll be higher than I'm paying now, so I'm prepared. Also, I'm still holding out for someone to give me the skinny on lobstering. If any of you kind readers/posters ever engage in this activity, please fill me in. Is there a season similar to Florida's, size limits, etc..?
Oh, and LR... yes, next time you're at the market.. tuna, tilapia, shark, grouper... average prices?
Many thanks,
Steve
Posted : April 15, 2005 4:34 am
Topic starter
Saw an older post from Islander about the lobster laws, so I'm good on that.
Posted : April 15, 2005 6:46 am
I'm on STX and we have plenty of beef to choose from. Plaza usually has t-bones and delmonicos for about $9.99 a pound. I make my own jerky and can usually get london broil for $5.09 a pound on sale. Plaza usually has a good selection of pork and lamb as well. Peppers are plentiful here as well, you can always get jalapenos and serranos. Haven't priced fish lately, but shrimp are expensive here, like $18 a pound.
Posted : April 15, 2005 5:22 pm
Hello Steve,
Yes there are cows on St. Croix, Senapol Cattle mostly. There is a butcher shop but I can't remember the name of it.
Fishing Regulations: http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/more_info/fishing/usvifishingregulations.php
--Islander
Posted : April 15, 2005 5:29 pm
