Taste is very important to us when we’re cooking. No dish is complete without the tasty aroma of the many local herbs, we lovingly call “seasoning”, and yet still, others cannot do without that spicy, peppery taste in their food.
All our meats are marinated in fresh herbs (preferably) days before it is cooked. Even while cooking, fresh herbs are again added so much so that the very aroma of a good pot cooking could actually make your mouth “water”. So keep this in mind while you’re trying out some of the many local Trinidad and Tobago recipes, they’re going to be spicy, some peppery and HOT, and others will just have your mouth wondering what part of heaven you’re in.
First of, found in any pot is Chadon beni or shadow beni (Eryngium Foetidum),also known as Bandhania and Culantro (not to be confused with Cilantro Coriandrum Sativum). This is a plant that grows mostly wild (sometimes cultivated) and very hardy because it grows where other plants cannot; as we say in Trini “dis plant doh aks to grow”. The long leaves are used in almost everything; chutneys, chows, etc and of course everyday cooking.
Chadon beni (Shadow Beni)
This picture shows the spikey flowers of the Chadon Beni
Another favourite is Chive (Escallion - Allium ascalonicum L.). Commonly known as 'chive' with the 'ch' pronounced as 's'. (sigh- ve) . In Trinidad this herb is grown mostly in the mountainous areas of Paramin largely because of the soil, which allows for easy water filtration, and the stable cool temperature of the high altitude. Chive grows easily once the conditions are right, the stalk is used and the bulbs can be replanted in a grow box or pot.
Chive
Next we have what we call “fine leaf thyme”. This pungent herb, also grown in Paramin, also graces our pots and dishes from time to time. It is usually sold in small bunches or together with chive. From experience, this plant is very difficult to grow and seems to require the same conditions as chive and also does not like direct sunlight.
Fine leaf thyme
Spanish thyme is another of our locally grown herbs. Its leaves are a little bigger than its cousin the “fine leaf thyme”. Also used in cooking and in seasoning meat or fish or what have you. Once treated well, a Spanish thyme plant can last for years even if planted in a pot.
Spanish thyme
Another of the thyme family is what we refer to as “big leaf thyme”. Known for its pungent aroma, big leaf thyme is used when cooking or seasoning meats or blended together with the other herbs to make “seasoning” which is then refrigerated. This herb is also sold in bunches at the market.
Big leaf thyme
Well this brings us to the end of another post stay tuned for more.
