The Market! 11-17-13

Saturday is officially "Market Day".

This is when you get up early and go to the market and purchase all your provisions for the week. Are there supermarkets? Sure, but the tradition of "Market Day" is still alive and well in Barbados.

The vendors are inundated with questions by the patrons. The primary question: "Is this local?" Bajan want local produce raised and grown in the clean Bajan soil without chemicals and byproducts. Not to mention that imported foods and expensive and most of the time, not as flavorful as what is grown locally.

In our perusal of the market we found a vendor selling passion fruits. Risee and I bought the whole box! We also found a vendor selling 30 eggs for 10 BDS which amounts to $5 USD. We didn't need 30 eggs, but for that price we bought and shared with ppl we knew could use them. We also encountered pure "Bajan Hospitality" when we inquired about purchasing just "2 hot peppers" instead of a full bag. The gentleman beckoned to open our basket, placed the peppers in and said "Guh long sweetheart." Followed by a beautiful smile. If that happens in the States, it has never happened to me.

Later we went to the next market to get our spices and natural essences. Flavorful vanilla and almond essences were purchased. In addition to the essences I picked up some cinnamon, wholes cloves, and spice to take back to NYC with me.

The market finds were numerous and surprisingly affordable. Once again proving to myself that Barbados is not as expensive as people keep saying. Buy local and eat whole foods and you will be just fine in this island paradise 

Barbados Saturday. Conkies! 11-16-13

Barbados is full of food!

I skipped some days, because #thecoconutbaby is on vacation, but i will make it up to you by featuring the National Bajan Dessert (in my opinion), #CONKIES!

Its a sweet cornmeal based food item that is popular throughout the Caribbean. The ingredients include cornmeal, coconut, sweet potato, and pumpkin, and the mixture is cooked by steaming in banana leaves.

In Barbados, conkies were once associated with the old British colonial celebration of Guy Fawkes Day and in modern Barbados they are eaten during Independence Day celebrations on November 30.

These conkies were made by my friends mom, Mrs. Marica, and they were wonderful! Thank you ma'am 

#BarbadosLove #Independence #conkies #10DAYSofFOOD

Barbados Wednesday. Sweets for the sweet! 11-13-13

The CoconutBaby is in complete vacation mode.

I sat on the veranda enjoying the cool November breeze and watching island life go by. 
Young children in pressed uniforms on thier way to school, the coconut vendor gathering his product from a nearby tree to sell at the beach, and locals on thier way to work or to town. Every person that passed giving a "Good Morning" as they pass. It doesn't matterif they know you, if you are there, they have to speak. One of the many awesome attributes of Island life.

Food for today consisted of leftovers from yesterday. Waste not, want not.
This evening though, I wanted something sweet so I took a walk to the local Haagen Daz for a bite. Even though we have Haagen Daz in the states, I wanted to see what they have and whether or not they would have flavors that I haven't seen in NYC. I wasnt disappointed. I was introduced to a flavor called Caramel Biscuits & Cream.

Ohhhh sweet ambrosia... It was awesome and gone before the walk back home ended. 
Once again, the ladies in the establishment took great care of me. They were attentive and super helpful. It is always great to meet people that take pride in thier job and always do their job to the best of thier ability. This trait seems to be engrained in the Bajan culture across the board. No wonder people never want to leave this island paradise. 

#icecreamdream #BarbadosLove #LocalLife #sweetsFORtheSWEET #HaagenDaz

Barbados Tuesday. Beach Day! 11-12-13

Everyone that comes to Barbados has to do atleast one beach day. Since I started my day on the South Coast, I decided to have my beach day at one of the nicest beaches in Barbados, Accra. I was told about a place call The Tiki Bar. I decided to give it a try. It was a great experience.

I rented a beach chair and umbrella for $30 bds which included rental for the entire day and $30 tiki dollars to use in the restaurant.

So after a day of sun, sand, and surf I ventured into the restaurant and had a "Catch of the day" fish sandwich (dolphin) and chips with a tasty rum punch on the side.
The staff was friendly and helpful. The Tiki Bar is a definite must do!

#tikiBAR #BEACHday #Barbados #barbadosLOVE 

Barbados Tuesday. Breakfast! 11-12-13

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Today I ventured to the South Coast to Worthing Court Hotel and had breakfast at the Hott Pott Cuisine.

Chef owner Joyann Michelle treated me to an "English Breakfast" It consisted of eggs cooked any style, sausage, bacon, toast and baked beans. I had mine sans beans because I'm a New Yorker.

In additon to international fare, she also serves traditional Barbadian dishes like Bul Jol, Bajan bakes, and more. Great food, service, and reasonable prices are sure to keep you happy and coming back for more.

This restaurant is not just for hotel guests. Locals and people staying at other hotels are welcome.Hott Pott Cuisine is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Call today and tell Joyann that "The CoconutBaby" sent you.

Barbados Monday. Take out night! 11-11-13

Today was an easy breezy day. I spent the day in the house sleeping the day away in the cool bajan breeze. My rest day was a much needed and well deserved. Rest creates hunger and my friend Joyann suggested take out dinner at Cheffette at Accra beach.

Cheffette is the Barbados equivalent of McDonald's with regard to popularity and accessibility, that is where the similarities end. Real cooked food is what you get from Cheffette. No chicken-like nuggets here. Real chicken, real beef, even roti is part of the menu. Real food, period. Connected to Cheffette is the popular, BBQ Barn which is has the feel of Ruby Tuesday's. Steak, baked potatoes, macaroni pie and the awesome salad bar. Unlike the USA, only one visit is allowed, so pile it up because you cannot come back.

Joyann had Cheffette but wouldn't allow me to take pics of her food (She is no fun! Lol). I ate at BBQ Barn. Dinner was hot wings with a small salad from the salad bar. As you can see, my plate was full and I had to take home the leftovers. On the every table were two containers which I found out were ketchup and pepper sauce. Only in the Caribbean do find containers with pepper sauce on the table to eat with your meal. Real pepper sauce that clears your sinuses and makes your eyes water. After all that food we took a leisurely walk along the coast to walk off some of those awesome calories.

Barbados Sunday. "The Breadshop" 11-10-13

I have been to Barbados a million times, but on every visit I learn something new. On this visit, after dropping off my bags, my friends Risee and Adrian took me to Nicholls Baking Co. (The Breadshop).

A small space when you compare it to the vastness of the Costco and BJ's of the United States, but quantity doesn't equate with quality as Nicholls proves by serving up bajan traditional baked goods like; Salt bread, turnovers, wheat/white sliced bread. Don't forget about tasty treats like, salt fish patties and lead pipes. Mmmmmm.

Most places are closed on Sunday in Barbados and if they do open they close early. So, I was amazed to find a place open and full of people on a Sunday at 3pm, but I was informed that "The Breadshop" on a Sunday is an unofficial tradition in BIM.

In addition to my gluten filled finds, I finally got my hand on some Golden Apple Juice!!! There should have been a pic, but alas, my tummy forgot that we are supposed to take pics before we eat. :)