Cassava latkes, an idea so simple, so obvious, and yet so left-field, that if it wasn’t for a chance comment from Ramin Ganeshram a year ago on Twitter, I may never have thought of whipping up a batch! I had been on a cassava kick, trying to see how many uses I could find for my favourite provision, besides the tried and true. I had made Vichysoisse Creole, and Cassava porridge, and then, as it was Hanukkah, Ramin asked “Have you ever tried cassava latkes?”

Eureka! I mean why not? Cassava, like potato, is a starchy tuber. It’s a shoo-in! I immediately headed to the kitchen, grated my little heart away and half an hour later was munching on cassava latkes. In some ways I even prefer them to the traditional potato (imagines purists fainting at the very thought). Underneath the slightly sweet crispy exterior they retain that warm, slightly gooey texture that to me signals the best qualities of comfort food. Because cassava has a more neutral flavour than potatoes they respond well to slightly more aggressive seasoning, however if you prefer your latkes on the milder side that’s OK too. Serve them with the traditional sour cream, or if you like to venture to the spicier side of palate town, pair them with tamarind or mango chutney. Veni mangé!

Cassava Latkes

Makes 12 latkes

INGREDIENTS
3 cups peeled and grated cassava root (also sold as yuca and manioc)
1/2 cup grated onion
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbl chopped chadon beni/culantro (optional)
1/4 cup vegetable oil

TOPPINGS
Sour cream
tamarind chutney
mango chutney

METHOD
1. For crisp latkes you want to press as much liquid out of the grated cassavas and onions as possible. You can do this by pressing them against a strainer or colander with the back of a spoon, or by wrapping them in a clean dish tower (or 2 layers of paper towels) and squeezing vigorously.
2. Transfer the cassava and onion to a large bowl.
3. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and chadon beni (if using).
4. Warm the oil on high heat in a large nonstick skillet.
5. Take 1/2 cup of batter per latke and drop into skillet.
6. Flatten with spatula.
7. Fry on both sides (about 5 min. per side) until brown and crisp.
8. Drain on paper towels.
9. Serve with suggested toppings.

This recipe is an exclusive TriniGourmet original. Please do not share it or post it to your site without crediting TriniGourmet.com and linking back to this site

This year Hanukkah falls from sundown December 20th – December 28th. Many people know this holiday as the Jewish ‘Festival Of Lights’ however it is also often mistakenly thought of as a Jewish equivalent of Christmas causing me to field many a puzzled look when someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah around December 25th only to be made aware that it ended quite some time ago. Although there are times (like this year) when the two festivals do overlap it isn’t a regular occurrence.

Hanukkah cuisine is marked by an abundance of fried foods, all edible testimony to the story behind the festival.

I hope you will enjoy this listing and draw some inspiration from it for your table (or for the table of a friend if you are invited to a celebration)!

DECORATING/TABLESCAPES

Hanukkah Tablescape Ideas

APPETIZERS

Curried Potato ‘mini’-Latkes
Samosas
Trinidad Sahina
Trinidad Saltfish Accra
Trinidad Pholourie

BEVERAGES

Bubbly Guava-Ginger Ale

BREADS

Poori

DESSERTS

Trinidad Black Cake
Trinidad Kurma

ENTREES

Asian Crisp-Fried Noodles and Chili Vegetables
Caramelised Onion & Anchovy Tarts
Pan-Fried Snapper with Tomato Salsa

SIDES

Fried Okras
Oven-Crisped Potato Latkes
Pesto Latkes
Cassava Latkes (above!)

What is Parang? Well Parang is the soundtrack to Christmas here in Trinidad. More than that however Parang is also a culture, a way of life that sweeps through my island after the lights of Eid and Divali have been put away.

The What is Parang? webpage has a wonderful overview of the history and features of Trinidad Parang.

‘Parang’ is the present Trinidadian interpretation of the Spanish word, parranda . Parranda is the action of merrymaking and also refers to the group of carousers who serenade their friends throughout the year. The word parranda in general Spanish is used mainly in the expression andar de parranda, which in the modern Trinidadian vernacular is ‘to go paranging,’ akin to the Venezuelan parrandear, meaning not only merrymaking in the original sense, but also ‘liming’ or enjoying oneself, with or without music, moving from place to place with no time limit in mind. (Moodie-Kublalsingh 1994, 65-66).

Growing up parang meant two women in particular, Daisy Voisin and Sharlene Flores. Daisy Voisin was the Grande Dame of Parang and no one will ever touch or claim her crown, I think all would agree. Her voice and passion for the music have not been matched and it really is a shame that more has not been done to document her life, her performances, and her artistic legacy. I am really glad to be in possession of one of the last CDs she made before her death in 1991. Fortunately through the magic of YouTube we never have to be without her voice or image

For more on Daisy Voisin:
• Alexandra “Daisy” Voisin – de Queen of Parang (TnT Island)
• Daisy Voisin (Wikipedia)

Unlike Daisy, Sharlene Flores was the ambassadress of a new musical hybrid ‘parang soca’. Distinguished by English lyrics and a more secular message she put a fresh young face onto the art form. I haven’t really heard her much from her since the 80′s, and those songs from my childhood still remain her most popular, becoming local standards.

For more on Sharlene Flores:
• Sharlene Flores (Wikipedia)

In the past 2 decades the lines between carnival soca and parang soca have become increasingly blurred. The parang soca of Sharlene Flores’ day seems downright languid compared to the faster rhythms of today’s fete joints. first by melding calypso rhythms to become parang soca, and most recently by incorporating classical Indian rhythms and tonalties to form ‘chutney parang soca’. Much like our cuisine, the possibilities for musical fusion seem endless!

The current Queen of Parang Soca for the past decade or more has definitely been Marcia Miranda! This song brings to mind the roving bands of parang singers (parangderos) that used to be very popular criss-crossing the country. You’d welcome them into your home and they would sing in exchange for food and drink. Pretty similar to Christmas carollers I suppose. I haven’t seen them as much in recent years, but I know that they are still going strong in many communities around the country. Unfortunately however, as the below video demonstrates, it seems Marcia’s vistors left with a whole lot more!

So far I have been focusing on the ladies of parang and you would be forgiven if you thought there were no men. The fact is that the men in recent years have not been as prominent, however for many decades the Lara Brothers ruled as Parang’s Kings (alongside Daisy’s Queen).

The men of parang today are much more likely to be found in its more lucrative hybrids. Parang soca is pretty much owned by Scrunter.

And for chutney parang you need look no further than Neeshan Prabhoo

Wikipedia has a pretty exhaustive entry on the parang genre as does the National Library and Information Service of Trinidad and Toabgo

So, there we have it. Christmas as Parang. It could only happen in Trinidad!

Over the following days I will be sharing the following with you (links will automatically update as each post goes live ) …

TriniGourmet’s Official Christmas Recipe Round-Up!

• Trinidad Black Cake
• Sorrel
• Sorrel Rum Punch
• Ginger Beer
• Ginger Beer (quick)
• Pastelles
• Paime
• Punch de Creme/Punch a Creme/Ponch de Crema

This post was originally published December 7th, 2006. It has been updated once since then.

Tomorrow is Divali in Trinidad and Tobago, a public holiday. Divali (also known as Diwali or Deepavali) is the Hindu festival of lights, and one of my favourite religious celebrations.

Growing up, much of the students at my prep school, including myself,would assemble on the evening of the Divali celebrations to help our Hindu classmates to fill and light the deyas and to take part in the puja which featured performances by our friends

To learn more about the meaning and history of this festival visit Divali on Wikipedia.

This year our menu will consist of the following. Recipes to follow!

• Chana Dal Soup (from The Ayurvedic Cookbook)
• Potato Roti (Aloo Puree)
• Pumpkin and Cashew Curry
• Roasted Cumin Raita
• Spicy Eggplant and Green Bean Curry
• Trinidad Barfi
• Trinidad Parsad

Divali celebrations are held throughout Trinidad at both private and public locations, and participation is not restricted to Hindu followers. One of my favourite locations to take in the lights is Adam Smith Square in Woodbrook. The cross-section of families and individuals from all walks of life always brings a smile to my face and reminds me of the Divali celebrations of my childhood. Last year I live tweeted video and pics of the festivities so be sure to follow me on Twitter if you’d like more of that this year Until then, here is a snippet of video that I took there in 2008

For more information on Divali in Trinidad:

* Divali Nagar on Facebook
* Divali Nagar website
* Divali Flickr Set

This post was first published October 2008, it has been updated twice since then.

This year the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana begins at sundown on September 28.

Normally at Rosh Hashana I have a rather fixed menu, sneaking in one or two new dishes for variety. Two years ago I decided to shake things up, discarding my customary Coconut-Raisin Challah with Supermarket Vegan: 225 Meat-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Recipes for Real People in the Real World
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• Baked Fish Provencal Style (recipe coming soon)
• Calypso Rice
• Banana-Apple Crisp

I wish everyone who celebrates a happy and safe New Year with much joy and prosperity following in the year to come!

Trinidad & Tobago celebrates its Republic Day on September 24th. This day is usually quieter and more understated in celebration than Independence Day, but equally looked forward to for it is respite from the work week

Here is a menu suggestion for your table!

• Grated Carrot and Raisin Salad
• Trinidad Callaloo (vegetarian)
• Angel Hair Pasta with Pine Nuts and Sundried Tomatoes
• Banana Sour Cream Pancakes
• Bittersweet Chocolate Chai

Happy Republic Day!

From the National Library Service:

Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic on August 1st, 1976. The event is celebrated as a public holiday on September 24th because this is the date when the first Parliament met under the new Republican Constitution. The date was removed from the official calendar of holidays from 1999 to 2001 to make way for the Spiritual Baptist (Shouter) Liberation Day which is celebrated on March 30th. The Republic Day holiday was reinstated in 2002.

DEFINITION OF A REPUBLIC

Republic [noun]: A state or nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote (the electorate), and is exercised by representatives elected, directly or indirectly, by them, and responsible to them.

Source: Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged 2nd ed., 1973.

• Learn more about Republic Day in Trinidad & Tobago via the National Library Service’s Republic Day portal.

Opening of the Churchill-Roosevelt/Uriah Butler Interchange, May 1 2009

August 31st is Trinidad’s Independence Day. This year’s menu is a trifecta of the new, the old, and a new twist on an old favourite What will yours be this year?

• Sarina’s Spinach-Ginger Salad
• Bertie’s Trinidad Pelau
• Sarina’s Independence Day Sugar Cakes

To learn more about Independence Day Celebrations in Trinidad, as well as the Independence Day Movement visit the Independence Day portal at the National Library website.

“June 19, Sir, is a day which, in the minds of the workers, marks a landmark in the history of the working class movement.” – Adrian Cola Rienzi

June 19 is Labour Day in Trinidad and Tobago, a public holiday

Labour Day marks the labour uprising on 19th June 1937 which is generally recognised as the start of the modern trade union movement in Trinidad and Tobago.

From Gov.tt:

Labour Day in Trinidad and Tobago is held annually on June 19th, the anniversary of the day of protest in 1937. This effectively led to the recognition of the modern trade union movement.

Although some Trinbagonians actively take part in small local celebrations, many simply take the day as an extra day for recreational and leisure activities.

In keeping with the no-frills activist spirit of this day I have put together a simple yet flavourful menu.

LABOUR DAY MENU

• Wholewheat Bake (recipe)
• Grated Carrot and Raisin Salad (recipe)
• Pan Fried Snapper with Tomato Salsa (recipe)
• Sarina’s Spicy Ochro/Okra Melee (recipe)
• Coconut Rock Buns (recipe)

KEY PLAYERS IN THE FORMATION OF THE LOCAL LABOUR MOVEMENT

ADRIAN COLA RIENZI From Wikipedia: Adrian Cola Rienzi (born Krishna Deonarine in 1905, died Desh Bandu (National Patriot) on July 21, 1972) was a Trinidad and Tobago trade unionist, politician and lawyer. He founded both the Oilfields Workers Trade Union and the All Trinidad Sugar Estates and Factory Workers Union, and was involved in the establishment of three other trade unions. He was also the first president of the Trinidad and Tobago Trades Union Council, from its foundation in 1938 until 1944. In addition to working for workers rights, Rienzi also worked hard for the rights of Indo-Trinidadians. He helped secure more employment of Indo-Trinidadians in the public service, the right to cremation, the recognition of Hindu and Muslim marriages and the establishment of schools by non-Christian religious groups. Rienzi also served four terms on the San Fernando Borough Council (three as Mayor of San Fernando) and represented Victoria on the Legislative Council from 1937-1944. He then worked in the public service as a Crown Counsel. The Rienzi-Kirton Highway in San Fernando is named partly in honour of him and the Rienzi Complex in Couva also bears his name. • EAST INDIAN – WEST INDIAN: The Public Career of Adrian Cola Rienzi by Dr. Brinsley Samaroo • Adrian Cola Rienzi (National Library Bio)

TUBAL URIAH “BUZZ” BUTLER Trinidad and Tobago’s national labour hero wanted to see what he termed “a better and a brighter day.” Butler was born in 1895 in Grenada. He was a tremendous fighter for human rights and he wanted to educate the workers about their rights. On 19th June 1937, Butler was involved in a major riot at Fyzabad Junction. His dream was to see an independent Trinidad and Tobago, and that came through in 1962. He is remembered for his struggles and was honoured on Independence Day 1976 with the Trinity Cross. Since 1973 Labour Day has been celebrated on 19th June. Butler died at age 80. He is remembered today as a charismatic leader of genuine working class background. He is honoured with a statue in Fyzabad and awarded Trinidad’s highest honour, the Trinity Cross, in 1970. In 1988 the Princess Margaret Highway was renamed the Uriah “Buzz” Butler Highway. • Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler on Wikipedia • Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler portal site (Trinbagopan.com)

CAPTAIN ARTHUR ANDREW CIPRIANI From National Heroes (site now defunct): Arthur Andrew Cipriani was born in Port of Spain in 1875, the son of white creole landowners of Corsican descent. When the First World War broke out, Cipriani was one of the first West Indians to enlist in the British army; he was also active in recruiting new soldiers to the cause. Cipriani rose to the rank of Captain and Commander of the British West Indian Regiment. Throughout his military career his concern for the welfare of the soldiers under his command never flagged. He campaigned for them to be paid for their services and defended them against the racism of the War Office. He was idolized by his men; on his return home in 1919, he was elected president of the Soldiers and Sailors Union. He was also prevailed upon to accept the presidency of the Trinidad Workingmen’s Association (TWA), the most important working class organization of the time. This marked Cipriani’s entry into politics. Realizing that the fate of the workers depended on who comprised the government, he began his lengthy struggle for adult franchise. Between 1919 and 1937, the TWA was the main vehicle for leftwing ideology in the Caribbean; under Cipriani’s leadership it metamorphosed into the Trinidad Labour Party (TLP), with close links to the British Labour Party. Cipriani’s battle for the vote was partly responsible for the British government’s decision in 1921 to investigate the question of representative government in the colony; the head of the Royal Commission of Enquiry, Major E.F.L. Wood, recommended partial franchise. In Trinidad’s first national election, on February 07, 1925, Cipriani won the Port of Spain seat on the Legislative Council, a position which he retained until 1945. Upholding the interests of the “unwashed and unsoaped barefoot man” against those of big business and government, Cipriani fought tirelessly for workman’s compensation, old age pensions, an eight-hour day, minimum wage laws and compulsory education. He defended legislation to protect trade unions and in 1932 was successful in getting a Trade Union Ordnance enacted by the British government. Cipriani was also active at the municipal level. He was a member of the Port of Spain City Council continuously from 1926-1941, serving as mayor a record eight times. In the City Council, he fought for state ownership of the electricity and telephone companies, and for the election of women to the City Council. Cipriani did not live quite long enough to see his dream of representative government become a reality; he died in 1945, one year before adult suffrage was instituted. Listen to “Captain Cipriani”, recorded by Lord Beginner (Egbert Moore) in 1935 Excerpt: In the Legislative, this is what he do, Got shorter working hours for I and you, Compulsory education, he fought it on, That children should be proud of the land they born, If you get damage on work, They can’t say is through tack, For he has got the Compensation Act, Let’s wish him long life, health and prosperity, Honourable Captain Cipriani

A memorial to Captain Cipriani lies in the heart of the capital’s Independence Square (as shown below) and is dubbed the Cipriani Roundabout. His name is also carried on through the Cipriani Labour College. (There is also a Cipriani Boulevard but I’m not sure if this was named after this Cipriani or another )

This post was originally published June 19, 2007. It has been updated twice since then

Gnocchi Pomodoro (recipe linked below)

Shavuot is an annual Jewish festival of dual significance. Agriculturally, it commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple, historically, it also celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. To mark Shavuot I always prepare a dairy-based menu that incorporates honey in some form or fashion.

This year Shavuot is being observed from sunset May 7 – nightfall May 9, I don’t think I’ll be holding an actual seder but I will be cooking up a storm. Here is this year’s menu

Shavuot Menu 2011:

Olive Paste Bruschetta (from Gluten Free Italian)
Italian White Bean Soup (from EdenFoods.com)
Gnocchi Pomodoro
Caramel Sweet Potato & Honey pie
Sweet Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

For more kosher holiday recipes check out the Jewish Cooking section of Veni Mangé – The Trinigourmet Amazon Bookstore!

May 30th is Indian Arrival Day, a public holiday here in Trinidad and Tobago. Indian Arrival Day commemorates the arrival of the first East Indian labourers to our shores.

From the National Library Website:
Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on 30th May, commemorates the arrival of the first Indian Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad, in May 1845, on the ship Fatel Razack. The Fatel Razack brought not only a new labour force to assist in the economic development of Trinidad, but also a new people with a new culture.
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While this momentous event has been celebrated among the East Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago for many years, it was not until 1994 that it was made an official public holiday. It was called Arrival Day. In 1995, it was re-named Indian Arrival Day. On 30th May each year, Indian Arrival Day commemorates this momentous event by staging a re-enactment of the arrival of the Fatel Razack at various beaches throughout Trinidad and Tobago. There is also music and dance, and outstanding members of the community are honoured for their contributions to society.

Since its establishment in Trinidad, Indian Arrival Day has given rise to similar celebrations in Guyana, Jamaica, Britain, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

To commemorate it this year I’ll be making the following:

• Trinidad Saheena with chadon beni (cilantro) chutney
• Channa Katte
• Pre-bought dhalpuri (or some butter naan from the tandoori place down the road…)
• Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

For More Information on Trinidad’s Indian Arrival Day:

• Indian Arrival Day (National Library Portal)
• Indian Arrival Day on Wikipedia

Want more East Indian recipes? Check out the East Indian section of Veni Mangé – The Trinigourmet Amazon bookstore!

March 30 is Spiritual Baptist/Shouter Liberation Day in Trinidad & Tobago.

From Wikipedia:

Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Liberation Day is an annual public holiday celebrated in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, on March 30. The holiday commemorates the repeal on March 30, 1951 of the 1917 Shouter Prohibition Ordinance that prohibited the activities of the Shouter or Spiritual Baptist faith.

It seems hard to believe or to fully understand the idea that practicing a faith could be considered illegal here in T&T where we pride ourselves on religous tolerance and diversity, however for many decades that was exactly what the Shouter Baptist community endured. In high school, one book that we studied “The Wine of Astonishment“, allowed us a little window into what those times were like.

Today, it is a common sight on a Sunday morning to see members of the Spiritual Baptist faith on their way to and from services in their stark white garb.

For this day I have envisioned a vegetarian lunch of truly local fare!

Wholewheat Bake
Trinidad Buljol
Baked Green Fig
Broiled Carambola (Five Fingers) Over Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
Trinidad Mauby

To learn more about the Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Community visit the below:

• Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Liberation Day (National Library Information Services)
• Spiritual Baptist beliefs and customs