Ackee on world's culinary mantle

Dennie Quill, Columnist

Between trying to keep up with the electioneering at home and in the United States, I have not been able to focus on much else these days. Given the rhetoric that has started to flow from the main political streams, it is a fair bet that the upcoming election here at home will be anything but dull.

We can expect a little of everything - overconfidence, cockiness, political point-scoring, uncomfortable moments, name-calling, big promises and even incitement. We expect to see the usual carnival-like atmosphere at rallies and we are likely to witness the support of spouses on the various platforms as they step out for their candidates.

Many cute babies will be kissed and their mothers hugged. There will be all kinds of fun and, hopefully, we will be free of intimidation and violence.

In my humble opinion, however, I believe we should lift the quality of our political debates and host a few community meetings where constituents can face their prospective candidates and ask of them tough, relevant questions. Candidates should come prepared to make the case as to why they should be selected over their opponents. Let them tell us how they plan to redesign government to create a new and efficient system that will be responsive to our social ad economic needs. Did I hear some people say that's wishful thinking?

Ackee and salt fish number two

So amid all this campaign activity, I came across an article in National Geographic which rated Jamaica's national dish, ackee and salt fish, as No. 2 in a list of the top 10 national dishes from around the world.

This may seem like a matter of little consequence to the average person, but I was really thrilled to see another positive story about our country in the international media, since we are so often pilloried and beaten down by others. I was a little indifferent to the fact that hamburger was rated number one, nonetheless, I felt good that there is strong acceptability of our culinary delights by others outside Jamaica.

It matters not that salt fish (cod) is not a native of the island. Our motto, 'Out of Many, One People', speaks to the diversity of our people and Jamaica's cuisine has always been open to foreign influences. Think curried goat, mackerel and bananas. We have found a way to combine salt fish with the exotic yellow fruit and made it into something distinct and delectable.

For me, nothing beats a meal of ackee and salt fish. It's such a versatile dish that it can be served with roast breadfruit, boiled yam and bananas, fried dumplings, festival, and bammy. Although commonly served at breakfast, it can be had for lunch and dinner and I have seen some creative people use it for cocktails as a dip with breadfruit slices. Are you hungry yet? Jamaicans are always in concert with their tastes and this rating by as prestigious a publication as National Geographic puts our little country way up on the world's cuisine map.

O, how the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism are missing out on opportunities to play up such positive endorsements. I submit that no visitor to the island should escape a taste of ackee and salt fish because, as they say, 'If you have it, flaunt it.'

Dennie Quill is a veteran media practitioner. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and denniequill@hotmail.com.