BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - COUNTRY before self. Many of us have heard this, but how many times do we truly get to experience it as a feeling we get? Or, in my case, a dish that I ate? Off the outskirt of town, it is just that!
As I arrived at Osquera, I noticed the sign…“Osquera. Real Food. Real Health.”
Just behind it is a beautiful garden on a plot of land that has history. Seated all around were people enjoying a meal in small bowls with which I was not familiar. I took note. Next to them was a fountain that looked to be once flowing with water and just behind was a shack. Inside was Pacalet working ferverously. He had a beanie and a smile as he welcomed me to the property.
“Ay mahn, how are you?” Pacalet queried.
I greeted him with the same smile and started to walk around the property. It’s beautiful! He has two small huts in the back overlooking a view you can’t replicate. Inside one of the shacks was a hammock. I continued to explore.
As I pondered about the smell, I noticed that there were fruit trees everywhere and I asked him what kind of produce he has. He immediately showed me with a drink he made earlier that day. Ginger, soursop, star-apple, passionfruit and lime. Boy, it was delicious! He told me that it was made fresh every day. I had grown eager and asked him what's for lunch.
Pacalet, with a big Rasta smile, asked, “Would you like it in chunks or stew?”
“Both!” I said eagerly.
He handed me the same bowl I was curious about. It’s a Calabash that was dried and fashioned into a serving vessel.
I looked inside and in it was a massive portion! It’s filled with a delicious smell and colours that made me appreciated the sight. Orange, yellow, white, red and the smell of garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme all hit my nose at once.
I noticed the meal was a vegetarian dish that included produce fresh from the soil. Breadfruit, sweet potato, plantain, soybean protein and Irish potato...and, of course, it was served with rice and beans. Who can forget that staple?
I thought to myself, “This brings me back to home cooking”...because I knew it was made with love.
It was filled with sweet, savory flavours that danced in my mouth like when a ballad meets the tango. Calm and collected, full of passion with a hint of spice that will have your mouth and your heart singing. I noticed that it was a portion that could easily feed two. The best part was that it was washed down with a freshly squeezed juice that made that morning. I couldn’t help scarfing it all down within minutes.
I then asked Pacalet to sit down with me and tell me a little about himself. He was excited to tell me all about the passion he puts behind his labour of love. He believes the food is a way he could serve his country. It’s why he forges so little.
I quickly realised that everyone should have a chance to try his food, especially during Restaurant Week. At Osquera…You wont regret it. Real Food. Real Health. I’ll see you there!
