Photo by Baking Mad.
Diverse and indigenous cuisine brought by the many ethnic people to St. Maarten from all over the world piques our interest. To this end, we are on a quest to find where it comes from, if it is used for celebrations, if it is exotic to some but everyday food to others. Anything to do with keeping the body and soul nourished with that which is produced from good old terra firma, is what makes the world go around.
‘Tis the season. Merry, Merry; Happy Holly-Jolly; Joy to Everyone and all the wishes for this time of year are wafting around out there (and the incessant tunes in the supermarkets and radio which happen to lift the spirits and good feelings for most of us!)
Is it just our observation or is the island buzzing with Christmas festivities on both sides more than in the previous few years?
As the Christmas celebrations are taking place over the next couple days you will find a couple of quick and easy recipes to add to your table – and you can shop tomorrow, it will be chaos out there but if one has had no time, then it is time now.
In our household we have food, seating, cards and gift-tags sorted but the gifts need a little more effort, and oh, my – the wrapping part is rather a chore. All those plans of beautiful and inventive wrappings of each gift go out the window as the sellotape sticks to the wrong part of the paper, the scissors seem to disappear completely from view (you sure you’re not sitting on them?) and the tight knot for the bow simply is not happening as you suddenly appear all finger and thumbs!
Hahaha! If that is the worst of this season, then you are one of the few very fortunate folks in this world. Many places around the globe do not celebrate quite the same. In some countries Christmas has become very commercialized especially with gift giving. One expensive gift is better than the myriad knack-knack gifts that are broken before New Year comes round. (One gift only, therefore, needs wrapping!)
However, the tiny tots with their glowing smiles and twinkling eyes enjoy the thrills and us oldies enjoy the biggest gift of all – the gift of giving! Homemade or bought the ripping off the wrapping paper eagerly wanting to see what is inside is possibly the greatest excitement one can have when young (and watching the excitement to us oldies!)
Back to wrapping those gifts again!
Let’s have a peek into the lives of others around the world at this special time.
Kwanzaa (Swahili meaning “first fruits.”)
The African-American culture celebrates Kwanzaa. This is not actually a celebration in Africa, it is a collection of celebrations taken from the east and the west of the continent based on the harvest celebrations in these countries and transported to America bringing the people back to their roots. Created by activist Maulana Karenga the celebration last seven days and includes the lighting of 7 candles each night and placing the candle in a kinara (akin to the menorah.)
In America Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through to New Year’s Day. The gifting often includes sensible and meaningful gifts, like books and perhaps a heritage symbol, homemade rules here. The gifting takes place during the time of the final day. The gifting is done in honour of the creative spirit and reaffirming self-worth.
La Befana – Italy
Befana, the female Italian equivalent of Santa Claus, generously hands out candy and/ or gifts! She is depicted as a little old woman, a kindly witch and a fairy queen.
Children receive gifts from Babbo Natale, (Santa Claus) if they have been good; but there is another side to this, children receive a lump of coal from a “Witch” if they have been naughty.
La Bafana rides on a broomstick (and the witch??) and delivers the gifts to children on Epiphany Day, the day Christians celebrate the first manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.
The Feast of Epiphany (Three Kings Day) falls on January 6.
The traditional “pressie holder” was once a pillow case (in those ancient days after the last world war.) The pillow case was placed at the end of the bed for the wee treats and the larger gifts were found under the tree on the return from church. These days a red or green stocking, is hung near the fireplace.
Estonia, France
The Christmas stockings are often replaced by a shoe (or pair of shoes.) Apples (which last a long time,) nuts, homemade biscuits, sweets are the delights found.
Netherlands
Children leave wooden shoes for Sinterklaas/St. Nicholas, on the evening of December 5. These clogs are left with a treat for Sinterklaas and carrots for his horses! Sinterklaas then removes his treats and fills the clogs with treats for the children. St. Nicholas is said to come from Spain.
Bulgaria - January 6 is a feast day celebrating the revelation of God in human form as Jesus Christ. Traditionally there are some crazy people who dive into a freezing lake competing as to who will get to the cross tossed into the middle of the lake first! The cross, thrown into the water by an Eastern Orthodox priest, will bestow health to the winner throughout the following year.
Old Man Bayka - Liberia
Old Man Bayka representing the country’s “devil.” This devil wanders the streets begging for presents on Christmas Day. The devil is usually sporting one of the thick and heavy carved wooden face masks. The devil has “its” head covered in a scarf and wears a skirt made of grass. This devil sometimes can and does execute a dance in the soft sand. The children gather in a circle beating time to the chap who is drumming the beat. The devil’s legs move in a flash of the eyes as the feet move to fast to see!
In other African countries like Sierra Leone and parts of Gambia, the villagers wear the carved masks as they celebrate.
Church and the seriousness of this religious time draws in the children who delight in taking part in the staged, musicals depicting the Nativity.
Christianity has climbed in the sub-Saharan African population; reaching more than 63% compared to a very low percentage taken back in 1910.
How ever one celebrates, however one feasts in this upcoming time - may there be peace on this earth. Let us give the gift of love, kindness and consideration to one and all – these gifts cost nothing but reap many benefits!
Merry Christmas!
Recipes
Bailey’s Eton Mess – English traditional dessert with a twist.
Ingredients
85g Raspberry jelly/jello crystals
625g fresh strawberries, hulled, sliced
Punnet Raspberries
1/4 cup caster sugar
500g cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup Baileys Strawberries & Cream flavoured liqueur
300ml thickened cream
Packet of small meringue kisses
Icing sugar
Method
Make the jelly according to packet instructions. Divide into 8 x 1 /4 cup serving dessert glasses
Set firm in the fridge – 3 hours
Place 250g of the strawberries, 1 TBL caster sugar and 2 TBL water in a small saucepan
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat to simmer 4-5 minutes
Blend to a smooth puree
Transfer mixture to a container – chill
Beat cream cheese and remaining caster sugar until smooth
Gradually add Baileys, beating well after each addition
Whisk cream in a separate bowl until firm peaks form
Fold cream and cream cheese mixture together
Crumble the meringues and fold through the creamy mixture
Fold in remaining strawberries
Divide the mixture between the glasses carefully layering the cream mixture with a drizzle of strawberry puree on top of the jelly
Top with the remaining strawberry puree
Chill until ready to serve
To serve – decorate with the remaining whole meringues and raspberries
Dust with icing sugar, serve with a Bailey’s on the rocks
Easiest Festive canapes
This is one of those throw together and get all the praise recipes.
Toast slices of white bread
Cut out shapes of stars and Christmas trees – set shapes aside
Butter shapes lightly with garlic butter
Then smoosh some guacamole over the toasts
Top/decorate with tiny squares of all colour peppers, olives, red onion
Push two pretzel sticks into toast to make Christmas tree trunk
Arrange on a large tray covered in tin foil
The center piece can be circles of white cheese interspersed with circles of tomato or salami in the shape of a candy cane
Scatter a few cherry tomatoes around the board and shredded lettuce to bring in some greenery
Enjoy the festivities!
