Currently viewing the category: "Caribbean"

Emancipation Days

By On August 2, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Back when I started this post, Juneteenth was two days away but didn’t finish because I am in the midst of some major changes and have been kind of busy, so here’s a brief recap of what went on for Juneteenth last month around the the United States. With lots more coverage every year, awareness [...]

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2011 – UN International Year for People of African Descent

By On September 26, 2011 · 2 Comments

I am late with this, at least here on the site. I’ve been talking up the 2011 International Year for People of African Descent since late 2010 with friends, on Twitter and on Facebook but haven’t done anything special to commemorate it with Roots Cuisine, for various reasons. Most of them logistical and [...]

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Yams

On Yams (Part I)

By On May 5, 2011 · 1 Comment

Yam, igname, ñame, inhame… all rooted in various West African words: nyam, iyan that not only refer to the tuber itself, but can also mean food, or even to eat reflecting the importance of the vegetable to cultures throughout the region . In Jamaican the word for eat is nyam. No coincidences here. I have [...]

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Ginger Beer

By On May 28, 2010 · 4 Comments

Ginger Beer. Not a favorite of mine, but both it’s appeal and presence are undeniable throughout West Africa and the Caribbean. People drink it to calm upset stomachs and as an aid to digestion, but also for the sheer enjoyment of it. In Jamaica, the ingredient list includes ginger, a few allspice berries, chew [...]

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Jamaica

By On February 23, 2010 · 2 Comments


Jamaica. It’s been in my consciousness only a week.
Kingston. Crushing poverty and immense wealth side by side. A curious mix of classism and racism enthusiastic acceptance of the former, vehement denial of the latter. Houses, shacks, even, fortified by huge gates-iron or wooden, take your pick. Lush greenery…beautiful flowers [...]

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Diaspora’s Kitchen – Part I

By On January 6, 2010 · 3 Comments

Indespensible ingredients in the diasporal pantry.

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