Traditional Crops for Christmas Dishes and More!

The joyful Christmas season is here, and with it comes delicious holiday dishes and much more. For many people around the world, this is a time to celebrate with family and friends while indulging in traditional meals that have been passed down through generations. It’s also important to consider how our local crops can enhance our holiday festivities. Let’s take a look at some of the best crops to grow for Christmas time, and how we can use them effectively for our dishes and more.

Sweet Potatoes

Caribbean Christmas dinners are famously delicious and full of flavours which are sure to make the whole family smile. One of the components of these dishes is sweet potato. Sweet Potatoes make such a perfect addition to traditional holiday feasts as they add sweetness, nutrition, and an intriguing colour to any plate. Whether roasted, fried, boiled, or made into a very delectable sweet potato pie, this starchy vegetable can be found on almost every Caribbean table this time of year. Not only are they a popular ingredient for families, but restaurants also use them in holiday dishes because of their versatility and eye-catching colour. If you’re ever fortunate enough to celebrate Christmas the Caribbean way, don’t miss out on these amazing sweet potato dishes!

Pineapple

Pineapple Glazed Ham 

For those looking to spice up their Christmas dinner, ham is an excellent choice. Not only is it a staple at such holiday feasts, but its sweet and savoury taste is sure to make an impression. To give the meal a unique twist, try glazing the ham with pineapple juice or puree. This will add a delicious island flavour that your guests are sure to love! Be sure to cook the ham to just the right temperature so that it doesn’t dry out – adding the glaze at just the right time can help achieve the perfect balance of juiciness and flavour. Whether it’s served with sides or eaten on its own, a ham glazed with pineapple is always a decadent treat for the holiday season!

Barbadian Coconut Sweetbread

(recipe compliments food.com)

INGREDIENTS  (UNITS: US)

• 3⁄4 cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup raw sugar
• 2 cups self raising flour
• 2 cups plain flour
• 4 ounces desiccated coconut
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 tablespoon rum
• 2 eggs
• 2⁄3 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon caster sugar, blended with
• 2 tablespoons water, to glaze

DIRECTIONS

• preheat oven to 350.
• grease 2 1-lb loaf pans or 1 2-lb pan.
• place the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and sift in all of the flour.
• rub ingredients together with your fingertips till the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• add the coconut, mixed spice, vanilla, rum, eggs and milk.
• mix together well with your hands.
• if the mixture is too dry, add more milk.
• knead on a floured board till firm and pliable.
• halve the mixture and place in loaf pans.
• glaze with sugared water and bake for about 1 hour, till skewer inserted into loaf comes out clean.

Coconut Pineapple Rice Pudding 

This Christmas dessert is the perfect combination of sweet and comforting flavours, making it an ideal festive treat. The creaminess of the rice pudding blends perfectly with the richness of the coconut milk and sweetness of the pineapple, creating a taste that feels both homey and indulgent. Plus, it’s simple to make! This much loved traditional recipe can be tailored to suit your own tastes by adding a sprinkle of nutmeg or some cinnamon to give it extra warmth. For anyone desiring that extra bit of festive cosiness this season, creamy rice pudding with coconut milk and pineapple is surely the way to go!

Sorrel

For many Caribbean people, Christmas would never be the same without the traditional sorrel drink. For centuries, sorrel has been enjoyed during Christmas time throughout the region as part of cultural celebrations. It can be consumed both hot or cold and it’s often served as an accompaniment to Christmas dinner or other holiday meals. The rich red colour also helps add a festive touch to any holiday table, while its unique flavour helps set it apart from other drinks typically served during this time of year. Plus, since it’s made with natural ingredients like sorrel plant and spices like cinnamon and ginger, it’s much healthier than sugary sodas or energy drinks that are more common at parties during this season. 

It’s also used to make jellies and jams because its tart flavour preserves well in these forms. In some places, sorrel drink may also be combined with various types of alcohol to create festive cocktails for celebrations. No matter how you choose to serve it up, one thing that everyone can agree on is that sorrel makes a great addition to any holiday party!  

Pigeon Peas

Pigeon peas are legumes that are native to India, Africa, and parts of the Caribbean. They come from a plant called Cajanus cajan which produces small green pods containing beige seeds that are known as pigeon peas or gungo peas. The plant grows best in tropical climates where there is plenty of sunshine and moisture, making them perfect for the Caribbean islands. 

The peas have a nutty flavour when cooked and can be used in soups, stews, curries, salads, rice dishes, dumplings and more. They are also packed with nutrients such as protein, fibre, vitamins A & C and minerals like potassium, iron & magnesium which makes them an essential part of any healthy diet.  

Incorporating Pigeon Peas into Your Holiday Meals 

If you’re looking for something unique to make this season, try out a classic Caribbean rice & peas dish made with coconut milk or even whip up some tasty gungo peas soup seasoned with thyme and allspice for an authentic island flavour. 

Also, the holiday season would be incomplete without the Christmas meal jug jug; a warm, thick, hearty stew made from pigeon peas, salted pork, and other seasonings like garlic and more – it’s no wonder why this dish has become a classic Caribbean favourite! Bear in mind though, that every island’s version is a little different. Not only does it make for a flavourful addition to the Christmas dinner table, but it helps us reconnect with our roots and remember where we came from. Jug jug is definitely one tradition worth keeping alive!

“Although food produced and dishes are similar throughout the area, methods of cooking vary according to the original influences. In the rural communities of each island unique traditional dishes evolved.” Caribbean Cookbook A Lifetime of Recipes – Written by Rita Springer

Cotton 

Looking for a unique way to decorate your Christmas tree this year? Why not try using cotton? This natural material is soft, versatile, and surprisingly easy to transform into a variety of festive decorations. Here are some creative ideas to help get you started:

Cotton Snowballs 

These adorable snowballs are an easy way to add a touch of winter wonderland to your tree. All you need is some cotton balls, glue, and white glitter or sequins. Simply glue the cotton balls together in small clusters and sprinkle them with glitter or sequins before the glue has dried. Once they’ve dried completely, use a piece of twine or ribbon to hang them from your tree branches. 

Cotton Garland 

This rustic garland adds a cosy feel to any tree. Start by cutting small strips of burlap or scrap fabric in various lengths (2-3 feet each). Then cut small circles out of cotton batting and sew them onto the burlap strips with thread or yarn. Finally, tie each strip onto a long string of twine for a unique twist on the traditional garland.  

Cotton Angels 

These soft angels make beautiful tree ornaments that can be enjoyed year after year! To make one, begin by cutting two circles out of cotton batting (one smaller than the other) and stitching them together around the edges. Fill the angel shape with stuffing before finishing up with stitching at the top for hanging purposes. You can also draw on eyes and wings if desired.  

Adding cotton decorations to your Christmas tree is an easy and affordable way to give it that special holiday touch this season! From snowballs and garlands to sweet little angels, there are so many possibilities when it comes to getting creative this Christmas. Whether you’re looking for something fun and festive or something simple yet meaningful, let these ideas be your guide as you craft your way through the holidays!

This festive season, add a little something extra to your Christmas celebration by incorporating some traditional crops to spice up your meals and activities. Not only will it help you to connect with your history and culture in a truly special way, but it will also bring an exotic touch of flavour and vibrancy to your festivities.

Delicious Black Cake Recipe 

(recipe compliments gobarbados.org) 

INGREDIENTS:

• 6lbs mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, prunes, candied cherries)
• ½ lb mixed citrus peel
• 1 cup sweet red wine
• ½ cup rum (check out https://rethinkgen.com/sugar-cane-to-rum-a-caribbean-story/)
• ½ cup Falernum
• 1 bottle Guinness stout
• 2 lbs brown sugar
• 1 ½ tbsp mixed spice (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg etc.)
• 1 lb unsalted butter
• 12 eggs  (check out https://rethinkgen.com/the-business-of-egg-farming-with-mrs-judy-ann-bradshaw/ )
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 ¼ cup flour
• 1 lb grounded almonds
• 1 tsp salt
• Browning

DIRECTIONS:

Combine fruit with wine, rum, falernum, Guinness and spices. Mix ingredients well and put in a jar, cover and allow mixture to steep for 3 weeks or more.

When ready to bake: 

Heat oven to 250 degrees F. and line 3 cake pans with waxed paper. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, and in a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of water to egg and essence. Whisk until light, then add to the butter mixture.

Combine the remaining dry products (flour, salt and ground almonds) in another bowl. Gradually stir flour mixture and fruit alternately into butter mixture. Add browning to bring to a dark brown colour, similar to chocolate.

Gently pour or spoon mixture into prepared cake pans and cover with foil. Fill the pan ¾ full. Bake for 2 ½ hours, reduce heat to 150 degrees F and bake for another 2 hours. Allow to cool before removing from pans. Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container.

Black Cake Recipe