Kallaloo and fungi

I have been thinking about what would make blogging more interesting? I think tid-bits on V.I. history and culture. So here is my first installment – kallaloo and fungi.

I have had the pleasure of meeting two Filipino librarians, recruited to work in the Virgin Islands school library system. Michelle and Ms. Christie have only been on St. Thomas for approximately 5 months and we have rediscovered my island’s traditions and treats. Michelle, Ms. Christie and I have become fast friends and my interest in their culture led to lunch at a Filipino restaurant in town. I am a fish lover and very special and yummy dishes were prepared for me. Trust me I will be going back as often as I can! In exchange I am going to introduce them to kallaloo and fungi – a traditional V.I. dish. Kallaloo is basically a spinach soup with seafood and pork, if you like it that way. It has herbs, tons of okra, spinach, onions and yes, pepper. The scott’s bonnet peppers can be spicy or subtle depending on your preference. Fungi is the carb that balances out the meal, it is okra and cornmeal cooked on a slow but steady fire until a soft yet firm texture is achieved. After both are cooked separately, they are combined to complete the dish. There are several traditional cook books that contain variations on the same basic recipe. I’ll try to find one on line and add it to this blog. In the mean time, some time Saturday, Michelle Ms. Christie and I will be eating and talking about this blog. Culturemon signing out.