Wey de rice? All you ain’t got no macaroni pie? These are two questions usually posed to caterers at the annual Eat Local Day held at Independence Square.This is how Kittitians and Nevisians ask for their favorite staple and side dish.
To give a pure answer, you will not find those items on the menu at Eat Local Day. The organizers are promoting the use of everything that is grown and produced in St. Kitts/Nevis to place the spotlight on the versatility and the health benefits of eating locally produced vegetables, meats and fruit.
Consequently, the main carbohydrate in this sumptuous balanced lunch offered at a very reasonable price will be breadfruit, green banana, sweet potato or white potato to name a few. For side dishes, one can expect things such as pumpkin, carrots and egg plant.
The protein source will come from meats produced from animals around St. Kitts as well as those harvested from our waters. So one can expect fish, mutton, beef, pork, locally produced broilers, rabbit and the ever popular "tree mutton" [green vervet monkey meat].
Speaking of Tree Mutton, the live animals have caused so much havoc in the farming community that agriculture officials from both islands have been intensifying efforts of control. One such effort is making the special "mutton" available to the palates of those who desire.
Complementing these dishes will be long time favorite drinks such as mauby, guava drink, sorrel and soursop to wash down the food. And all are reminded not to leave without taking away the after meal snacks such as mango cakes, carrot bread, cassava bread andcassava biscuits. These products have now become the business products of Agro Processing Groups in St. Kitts/Nevis
Efforts at expanding Eat Local Day lie in the Best Local Dish Competition which is aiming to entice home owners to participate in a competition that involves creative homemade local dishes. It could be a one pot dish, a baked item or a plate with a variety of ALL local dishes exquisitely laid out.
Judges will declare the winners and the already secured prizes will be distributed on the same day.
To enter the competition, registration is done at the Department of Agriculture in LaGuerite.
Eat Local Day is in its 6th year and carries the same objectives of promoting local products, seeking more markets for local foods and heightening awareness on food security. The event takes place on Friday 28th June, 2013.
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