Folklorama: Salt Fish and Ackee / Stew Peas and Rice

Stew Peas and Rice

Wishing American readers a Happy Fourth of July!!

Folkorama in 1980 didn’t have a pavilion representing the United States.

A few years later Folklorama did try to include our neighbours to the south with a jazz-themed pavilion.

That didn't last long.

I guess Winnipeggers figured it was easy enough to go south of the border and see the real thing.

But Folklorama has regularly given a nod to other American countries.

The Caribbean pavilions are always popular.

Well, sure, we love to get away from Winnipeg winters and bask in the Caribbean, even if it is being staged in a local high school.

The shows are fun and the food is great, so the rooms are always packed.

In 1980 the Africa/ Caribbean Pavilion was an exciting show set up by the Afro-Caribbean Association of Manitoba Inc. at Tec Voc High School.

There were displays of arts and crafts from Caribbean and African countries, slides, films and native clothing.
They had the Coffee Dreggs Steel Orchestra, a limbo dancer, the Afro-Caribbean Dance Ensemble, and many other musicians to keep the place jumping.
I remember how much my Pop enjoyed their show.

Of course there was food! Along with the Salt Fish and Ackee, there was roti, meat patties, Caribbean-style Chinese and East Indian foods, and snacks.

Drinks included coconut water, ginger beer, and native Caribbean spirits, as well as rum and fruit punches from Jamaica, Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados and Guyana.

Across town, at the Grant Park High School, the Cari-Cana Pavilion was rocking, thanks to the efforts of the Winnipeg Steel Band Orchestra, the Caribbean Folk choir and Caribbean dancers.

Its sponsor was the Caribbean-Canadian Association of Winnipeg Inc.

There were artifacts from the West Indies, straw goods, fabrics, native crafts and Caribbean arts displayed in a recreation of a native market.

At the Cari-Cana we feasted on authentic West Indian food: roti, curried meats, pelau, chicken a la Caribe, Jamaican patties, Trinidadian meat pies, and West Indian pastries.

Caribbean beverages such as Mauby, coconut drink, ginger beer, rum punch and domestic beverages topped off the evening.

Folklorama50 is responding to the continuing interest in the Caribbean with the newest versions of the Africa/Caribbean Pavilion and the Caribbean Pavilion.

In addition, Folklorama is now home to pavilions being brought into being by some of Winnipeg’s newest citizens through the Africa Pavilion, the Egyptian Pavilion, the Ethiopian Pavilion, and the South Sudanese Pavilion.

We’ve visited the new pavilions and they are energetic and delicious!

                        Salt Fish and Ackee 

Place in a pot of boiling water

8 ounces salt cod

After it is cooked, flake the cod into a bowl.

Cut into 3 pieces each 

6 strips bacon

Place the pieces in a large pot.

Fry until crisp and remove from the pot.

In the bacon drippings place

the flaked fish

1 tin Ackees, well drained

3 stalks spring onions, sliced

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 ripe tomato, chopped

1 large chill pepper, chopped

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground thyme

the fried bacon pieces

Cover and let simmer.

Serve with boiled green bananas, or boiled or fried dumplings.

                        Stew Peas and Rice  

Place in a large bowl

1 pound fresh beef, cut in 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 teaspoon garlic

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Allow to marinate.

Place in cold water

1/2 pound pigs’ tails (pickled pork)

1/2 pound salted beef

Soak for 30 minutes and drain.

Place in a large heavy pot

the prepared meats

2 Cups red peas (kidney beans)

4 Cups water

Bring to a boil, then allow to simmer for 1 hour.

The meat and peas should be tender.

Add 

2 Tablespoons butter

1 Cup beef or chicken bouillon

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks chives

tiny dumplings

Allow to simmer 30 minutes.

Taste and adjust seasonings before serving with rice.