Category: Ramblings

Taste(s) of St. Croix

by Crucian Contessa

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There are certain times of the year the energy on the island shifts. It goes from our usual laid back vibe to a more excited hum. One of those times is in the month of April for the Taste of St. Croix–the main event of the St. Croix Food and Wine Experience. A culinary gathering of epic proportions, celebrity chefs, local chefs, restaurants, and people from all over the world come to the island to share some of the best in what we have to offer! This year I was asked to be a Judge in the Local Fare Category. I was blown away by the spirit of creativity and food genius I sampled. There is such amazing talent on this little Rock. This Rambling shares just a tip of a huge iceberg of sights and tastes I experienced both there and at the V.I. Department of Agriculture’s Taste of St. Croix, where some of our local farmers congregated to share their harvests.

It was an amazing time for food, an amazing time for the island, and an amazing time to witness what community looks like on such a grand scale. As a writer I always have something to say…some way to describe a moment that helps whoever is reading to be placed right in the center of the happenings. But for some reason I still have no words. It was beyond inspiring, beyond words…it just had to be experienced. If you ever have a chance to visit the island during “Taste Week”, I hope you do. Then feel free to share some words with those of us who still are trying to wrap our minds around what an incredible time it was. Are you packing yet?! Read More

Crucian Honey

by Crucian Contessa

 

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Whenever I think of Local Raw Wild Honey, I swear I hear Marvin Gaye crooning in my ears, “How Sweet It Is”! This Rambling is dedicated to all the things we are doing locally to promote beekeeping and honey harvesting on the Rock! I keep saying it, “Food will show us the way.” Our creativity has been unleashed and we are reflecting some incredible products that defy the ordinary! Read More

Caribbean Pot’s Interview with Roger Mooking!!

by Crucian Contessa

VERY COOL!!! I LOVE Caribbean Pot’s Chris De La Rosa and I LOVE Roger Mooking! They have such passion and pride in their work. Chris asked his readers for questions he should ask Roger. And I asked him to ask Roger when he’s  coming to St Croix AND HE DID! Food is such a unifying and beautiful force. Thanks Chris! Keep doing all the wonderful work you do to share Caribbean food and culture with the world! 🙂

Click here to see Caribbean Pot’s interview with Roger Mooking!

St. Croix Source Article!!!

by Crucian Contessa

The St. Croix Source is our local online newspaper. They recently asked me to do a sit down interview on “The Crucian Contessa”. Interviewing with someone who makes you feel completely at ease is such a gift. Thank you, St. Croix Source, for the wonderful words! Click here to read the St. Croix Source Article. 

This blog is a labor of love. So, to have an opportunity to talk about it is extremely encouraging! Share your passions! It’s a beautiful thing! 🙂

Contessa Honey and Lime Baklava

by Crucian Contessa

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It makes sense that Greek food is one of my favorite ethnic foods. Crucians and Greeks have one thing very much in common–the Sun! One of my all time favorite treats is Baklava. The honey, spiced, layered decadence is just sinful! This is just a Rambling, as it was one of my first times trying out the recipe. I usually try to test it a couple times before I find it share worthy.  Or maybe I’ll just have to hold up on sharing in anticipation of that cookbook I keep meaning to put together! Read More

Season’s Greetings!!

by Crucian Contessa

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I have been away from my blogging duties, as I have been THOROUGHLY savoring the holiday season with family and friends!! It is my MOST  favorite time of the year! It is as if the whole world collectively decides to slow down and celebrate time together!

Growing up on the island, Christmas day was spent opening gifts and preparing for the family feast! But the next day, my Aunt Inez would gather us all together at her house for a Christmas Second Day Brunch. It didn’t matter if you were still recovering from Christmas Day’s food coma. When you went to her house, you wanted to fall in love with all the foods she prepared so we would have an excuse to gather one more time.

For the past couple years, I have tried to recreate that special feeling of welcome and late morning care my Aunt began. This year, I made a feast for friends and family to share. This “Rambling” is simply a way to memorialize that time together. With some island favorites, but mostly just good tasting food! If you “liked” my Facebook page, you may have already seen these and other goodies posted there! If you haven’t “liked” Crucian Contessa on Facebook, what are you waiting for? 🙂

I hope your Holiday Season is warm, loving, and full of food memories! 🙂

I also included a link to one of our traditional Christmas songs “Ma Ma Bake Your Johnny Cake“ by Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights. The image above is of a Johnny Cake. It is a type of fried dough that is made routinely on the island. Divine! Hopefully it helps you to feel like you are home, if you are from the island– or crave to visit St. Croix you aren’t!

Season’s Greetings, Everyone!! Read More

Bush Tea

by Crucian Contessa

If there is one thing we have an abundance of on our island, it is literally bush, grass, vegetation! Everything is green, not because it wants to be but because it literally has to be! What else should nature create when it has an over abundance of fertile earth, life encouraging sunshine, and enough rain to keep everything flourishing and alive. Crucians are nothing if not creative, and over time we have learned to use what is available to us in creative and necessary ways. And nothing is more elemental and nourishing than a steaming cup of Bush Tea!! Read More

St. Croix Food and Wine Experience

by Crucian Contessa

What a wonderful set of weeks! I received a message from the folks at the St. Croix Food and Wine Experience, asking me to put together a food demonstration to teach children how to make some of our local foods. Well, the former teacher and the current foodie in me were both thrilled!

The St. Croix Food and Wine Experience is a wonderful way of fusing food and philanthropy! Rated by Forbes Magazine as one of the Top Ten Food and Wine Festivals, the St. Croix Food and Wine Experience is in its 13th year of sharing and promoting all the culinary creativity on our beautiful little Rock! The funds generated from this event are then shared with various non-profits here on St. Croix! The power of food and community is simply unparalleled! I am so excited to participate this year! If you are on island, buy a ticket and support this event! If you are not on island, buy a ticket, pack your bags, and visit this magical isle! 🙂

Visit their website to learn more about the festival at http://www.stcroixfoodandwine.com! 

Uncommoncaribbean.com!!!

by Crucian Contessa

It is a wonderful thing when those whose work you admire, admire yours too! Recently, the wonderful folks at Uncommon Caribbean asked me to collaborate with them and share a few recipes on their site dedicated to sharing the beauty of the Caribbean! They are so talented and their passion for all things Caribbean is easily seen by their beautiful pictures and words!

Check them out!! And don’t resist the urge to start packing your bags and heading for warmer weather! The first article they posted is just in time for the Christmas spirit, the Coquito Bread Pudding Rambling!!!

Enjoy it once more! 🙂

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

by Crucian Contessa

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! I hope the food you make today creates and adds to the wealth of family memories for tomorrow. Give thanks for all that you are and all that you are going to become! There is so much in the gift of food and gratitude! 🙂

The Crucian Contessa