Fruits
I eat a lot of fruits, fresh, in some dish or preserved, I can’t live without them. Summer is my favorite time of the year because cherries and the berries are all in season and cheap. We keep a little bowl of cherries on the kitchen counter and we get one or two every time we go in the kitchen. I adore blackberries. I make blueberry pancakes as long as they are in season. I add apples to my oats any time I have them. For some reason, I wasn’t a fan of a lot of the Caribbean fruits. I am more partial to the northern fruits, although I will eat a mango if it is perfect and cold. Papayas are never good here so I don’t even buy them. I get my fill when I visit the Dominican Republic. I love Caribbean cherries, and Nísperos (sapadillos). I loved pineapples, but became allergic to them 20 years ago.
Banana Nut Bread
My mother made this banana nut bread recipe when I was a kid. She added extra nutmeg to give it a more nutty flavor. I just couldn't get enough. I don't like bananas, and yet, I love this banana bread. When I make it, it is gone in no time. It is wonderful at...
Bananas – Guineos
What can you say about bananas that hasn't been said before? Not much. So I won't get into a description. Even though I really don't like them fresh, they are a great source of potassium and one of the biggest food sources in the world. So they deserve our respect....
Coconut – Coco
The coconut is the fruit or nut of one of the most beautiful and noble of all palms. It is a very important factor in the survival of the Caribbean people. Every part of the tree is used. The trunk and palm frond are used for burning as well as the old nuts which burn...
Coconut Milk & Cream
Coconut milk and cream are used in many recipes. Ripe coconuts are available in most supermarkets. If fresh coconut is not available, try to find packaged coconut cream. If this is not possible, then use dry coconut, available in most supermarkets and health-food...
Guanabana – Soursop
Soursop is a very large fruit found in tropical America. The Soursop skin is dark green and spiny (not prickly), while the meat is white and aromatic. It can be eaten raw when ripe, or in milk shakes, desserts, sherbets, ice creams. Frozen or canned soursop meat may...
Guayaba – Guava
Guava is the fruit of the guava tree, found throughout tropical America and Florida. There are many varieties and all can be eaten raw. They are sold fresh in some supermarkets and Latin Stores, or in pastes, jams, jellies and canned shells. In the islands Guavas are...
Mango
Mangos originated in Souther India and were distributed by the Spanish all over the Tropical world. In the Dominican Republic, Mango season is divine. There are mangos everywhere. The best have always been the Banilejos. They are small like a peach and have hardly...
Papaya – Lechoza
The papaya is native to the Americas. The Spanish found it growing in Hispaniola and the mame comes from the Taino Indian. It is now grown all over the world. Hawaiian small papayas are very popular in the US. Unfortunately, I never buy them here because they are...
Papaya Milkshake
1 cup of milk ½ Papaya (small Hawaiian variety), or 1 slice of Caribbean variety which are much larger Honey or sugar to taste Ice Blend and serve immediately.
Piña Colada
I happen to be allergic to pineapples, which is a tragedy. I loved pineapples, specially the little ones you can buy around Santiago, Dominican Republic called Pan de Azucar (sugar bread). I guess I ate too many and my body rebelled. I don't remember where this recipe...
Pineapple – piña
The pineapple takes it name from the resemblance it bears to the pine cone of temperate regions. Although it is associated with Hawaii since they grow a lot of the fruit in the market, it is a native of the West Indies and Central America, although it is now grown in...
Tamarind – Tamarindo
Tamarind originated in Africa but has spread all over the world. The fruit pod turns brown when ripe and it’s seeds are surrounded by and acid edible pulp used in desserts, milk shakes and sherbets. Available canned or frozen in Latin American food stores. The ripened...