Well, mis amigos, the time has come to say ‘hasta la proxima” (until the next one). We’ve eaten our way through Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, El Salvador, Brazil, Argentina, Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and Puerto Rico. We learned about new cuisines and cultures different than our own — and we made some new blogging friends. Muchas graciás a todos…for your contributions, support and comments along the way. I had a wonderful time. I hope you did too.
Here’s the last round-up. Continue Reading
I’ve got a real treat for you. We’re having dinner in a private home on this stop of the Culinary Tour. As you may know, I’ve spent a lot of time in Puerto Rico. It was definitely my playground when I lived in New York. Less so now that I live in FL, but I still manage an annual trip and a reunion with my friends. I was actually in Puerto Rico for a few days during the period between the Argentina and Brazil stops on the Culinary Tour. It was a very food-centric experience from the highs of the trendy El San Juan Hotel restaurants…to road stands in the mountains…to a dinner party in a private home which I present here.
This was a surprising round-up to me. I expected lots of plantains. I expected black beans and rice. And I definitely was expecting lots of meals revolving around fatty cuts of pork and beef. But my expectations were definitely not in sync with the blogosphere.
Before clicking ‘read more’, can you guess which food item the first 5 contributing bloggers brought?
In November 2003, I had the opportunity of a lifetime. I got to visit Cuba on a U.S. government-sanctioned cultural exchange trip. Up to that point, my life had intertwined with many Cubans who fled the island and settled in New York, Puerto Rico or Miami where I spent most of my time. I, therefore, knew much about Cuba, but not firsthand. In fact, I used to say it was “la lastima de mi vida” (life’s disappointment) that I had not had the opportunity to visit Cuba. A little melodramatic, perhaps, but I was that passionate about it. Sadly, when I did get to go in 2003, it was a drastically different Cuba than it was in 1959 when Castro took over. The glory days were long gone.
My trip was a half-dozen years before I started blogging but I wrote a travel essay at the time which I made part of the ‘travel retropspective’ category on FOODalogue. I have not edited it. It stands as I wrote it 7 years ago. I invite you to see Cuba as I saw it then. Continue Reading
Haiti was a tough one. It gave us all some pause. I even questioned whether I should cancel the stop. In the end, we celebrated Haiti as foodies do — with a tribute to their food and their indomitable spirit.
We only have 2 stops left (Cuba and Puerto Rico) before we say adíos to the tour. It’s really been a great experience. Any suggestions for the next one?
Back at the end of 2009 when I announced the ‘south-of-the-border’ Culinary Tour itinerary, Haiti was to be stop #8. Several weeks later, the world was horrified by the devastating news of the earthquake. Since then, I’ve struggled with what to do. Would it be more respectful to cancel the stop? Or would now, more than ever, be a good time to embrace Haiti in the way we know best by celebrating its people and food? I decided to keep to the schedule but, instead of cooking, I chose to engage with the local Haitian community by patronizing Tropical Island, a Haitian restaurant in Boynton Beach. This is Lovely who works at the restaurant. Her momma named her well!
As we leave Jamaica with this very colorful and delicious round-up of dishes, I note that we are only 3 stops away from the conclusion of this tour. Haiti, Cuba and Puerto Rico remain. I’ve been having a great time. Based on entries and comments, so are you!
Please stay to end of this post to see special message re H20pe for Haiti.
In researching Jamaica, I learned that it was it was originally called Santiago and was a former colony of Spain (no surprise, I guess-what territory in the New World wasn’t?) It was seized by the British in 1655 and did not become an independent member of the Federation of the West Indies until 1958.
95% of the population is of African or partial African descent and nearly the whole population is Jamaican-born. They speak English and an English-Creole language derived from their African roots, called Patois. It’s a very colorful language with some real fun sayings. Ya, mon!
Wha sweet nanny goat a go run him belly [meaning you can't have too much of a good thing. Come see the good thing I made for this stop on the tour.] Continue Reading
An unexpected benefit of A Culinary Tour Around the World is the opportunity it has given us to become acquainted with food bloggers we didn’t know before. Once again, we have 3 first-time contributors. They come from Hawaii, Germany and Chicago.
Isn’t the internet a wonderful thing? It introduces us to people…it takes us places…it informs…it entertains…and it feeds. Wait till you see the dishes in this round-up — it’ll have you booking passage on the next flight to Cartagena or Bogota!
Sadly, the only thing many people know about Colombia besides the fact that it’s in South America is its long history with drug-trafficking cartels. However, even with that blemish, Colombia has managed to contribute much to the arts and our popular culture today. Let me introduce you to a few notable Colombians.
Have you seen the new TV show “Modern Family”? Sofia Vergarra is from Colombia. So is TV-movie star John Leguizamo. The concept and original production of “Ugly Betty” originated in Colombia. Other famous Colombians include Nina Garcia, fashion director of “Elle” and “Marie Claire” and “Project Runway” judge. Another is Rodrigo Garciá Barca, one of the directors of “The Sopranos” and “Six Feet Under” among other hit shows. On the music scene, Shakira, Juanes, and Carlos Vives have consistently been on the top of charts. There have been sports figures and beauty queens too. And who doesn’t know the paintings and ‘fat’ sculptures of Fernando Botero and the work of Nobel Prize winner, Gabriel Garcíá Marquez?
But, come, let’s talk about food…
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