Crop Over Barbados

Crop over 2016 is finally here!

It's Crop over! It's Crop over! It's Crop over!

The time has come yet again for everyone to stop what they are doing and head to Crop over in the beautiful island of Barbados. Just in time for Summer. From May 20th to August 6th 2016 is one of the world's most well attended and anticipated Carnival shows in the Caribbean.

A little about the history of Crop over!

It all began in the year of 1688, at that time however it was named " Harvest Home". Even though the Caribbean see's it as a type of Carnival; what it actually is, is a Harvest Festival that originated int he colonial period of Barbados. Crop over runs until the first Monday in August. Crop Over features Calypso music from all the islands, dance and party after party plus tons of competitions. All of which is the build up to the stunning pretty mass that takes over the towns and cities. The Festival is absolutely riddled with Bajan culture, art and festivities. 

What to expect this year 2016!

Well the festival is out with a bang this year and promises to leave all it's participants absolutely breathless, but also wanting for more. according to the Festival Calendar that can be found at www.ncf.bb , this year's festivities begin on the 20th of May with Crop over's mega cavalcade and ends on August 6th with Crop Over's Visual Art's Exhibition. However, if you will be partaking in the pretty mass parade you won't want to miss the band launches which took place on the 7th May to the 28th of May. This is where you get to see models displaying the beautiful costumes made by their respective bands, after which you will get to choose (if interested) which one you will like to purchase and wear while partaking in the parade on the streets of Barbados.

Famous Faces to expect to see at crop over this year: 

The local legend herself:  Mrs. Allison Hinds
The International Superstar:  Rihanna

and maybe a couple others, but the above two we are sure should be there as they are natives to the isle and very rarely ever miss their nations festivities. 

Unique Caribbean food Culture Secrets

Food Food Food!!!

We eat it everyday all around the world. Most of us are currently obsessed with finding more organic/ healthy ways to enjoy eating our day to day food items. and the rest of us,... well we just go for what we are craving, tastes good, is easy to acquire and fills the space in our stomachs.....lol...

Well we have decided to maybe aid both sides of the spectrum and take you guys on a new way to eat that would be both healthy as well as easy and affordable.

This particular blog post will be updated every three (3) months, for your eating pleasure.

Now let's get into some deliciousness.....

First up!

The Bajan dish called Jug Jug.

Made with just three (3) ingredients and occasionally four (4): Pigeon Peas, Corn and Meat (okra, optional) (salt and pepper)

Now while we can go the boring route and talk / write you through, we thought it better to show you.

Enjoy! ;)

Source for additional info

Next Stop in our Cultural Cuisine tour is Jamaica Jamaica!!!...

For some succulent Callaloo Stuffed baked fish.

Made with just Fish, callaloo, onion, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, scotch bonnet pepper and one carrot (Salt and Pepper)

Enjoy the how to video below! 

Finally, to the spice isle of Grenada for its national dish; Breadfruit Oil down.

Yummm......Now us Caribbean born and bread will know about the breadfruit. However, I strongly urge everyone to get your hands on it and try this mouth watering dish out!

You will need:

2 lbs chicken

1 sprig basil
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 sprigs of celery leaves
5 Caribbean seasoning peppers (or sweet peppers)
1/2 onion
6-7 cloves garlic
2 carrots
½ bunch of callaloo leaves (taro leaves) (or 1 bunch of spinach)
2 yams
8 green bananas (or 4 potatoes)
1 breadfruit (or canned breadfruit or 1 large taro root)
1/2 lb. salted fish or pork
4 fresh turmeric (or 1 Tbsp. turmeric powder)
1 brown, mature coconut  + 6 cups water (or 3 cups canned coconut milk +  3 cups water)
1 cabbage
2 cups flour

Method cur to see the famous cook from the YouTube channel "Caribbean Pot"

Serve as is and do Enjoy!

That's it for now folks, we hope you all enjoyed learning about these alternative meals to the international cuisine, and for us bindge eaters to fast food. Try one!

Next food post update will be in June 2016.