A Good Friday Meal

It is time for a Good Friday Meal. Hi and hello once again. It’s been a long time, but be assured that it was all work and no play. Over the past few days my wife and I have been working very hard to get authentic Trini style recipes on camera for you all. This week was a very hectic one for me because of the Easter celebrations. But of course I did not forget our cooking tradition on Good Friday when we traditionally eat ground provision and fish.

Provision and Fish Meal

This year was no different. Fish is usually expensive during this time, because it is in high demand. That is not the only thing that gets expensive, ground provision also gets a bit pricey. During the Lenten season demand for these products rises and so do prices. And coupled with the rising food cost in our country, the prices this year were ridiculously high, for example King Fish was $24.99 (TT) per pound and in some places it was high as $30.00. Of course, being the frugal type, I decided not to buy; I substituted with tinned pink salmon and saltfish. Fortunately, I did not have to buy the provision.

Dasheen (taro)
Cassava

The provision grows in distance small estates in the mountains. Some abandoned and some are still being cared for by family members. Anyway, the ground provision is usually peeled and boiled, and other staples like plantain and carrots are usually boiled also. The saltfish and the pink salmon are usually sautéed with onions and tomatoes. For the recipe on how to prepare the saltfish (and likewise the salmon) see my post on fry bake and saltfish. As you see in the picture below, we also added some callaloo and some fresh green salad (lettuce and cucumbers) to complement the meal, because we believe in balancing our meal.

good friday meal
Provision (dasheen, cassava, sweet potato) and saltfish. Note the callaloo and green salad.

This was quite a filling and satisfying meal, especially since many of us fasted during the Lenten period. I always enjoy this combination. Later, some leftover provision, a few thin slices for everyone, was fried in some coconut oil. This was eaten by itself; generally most of the meal prepared for the day might eaten – that is the fish, callaloo and salad. However, dinnertime is hardly a time to overindulge in carbohydrates, so such indulgences are rare. Also, hot cross buns are very popular on Good Friday’s as well.


Good Friday Highlights

Before I go I just want to leave with you all a few highlights of our Good Friday walk. Good Friday is a celebration of the Lord’s Passion (the death of the Lord). Usually much of the scriptures pertaining to his death is read. The gospel reading are usually long. The majority of the reading comes out from the Book of John in the New Testament.

This year it was done a little different; each station of the cross was acted out with soldiers. There were, mourners, even whipping men, a “Jesus”, etc. We started very early, about 4 a.m., to beat the scorching mid-morning sun; in the end we completed the walk (about 2.5 miles) at 6:30 a.m as the sun was about to make its journey up above the mountains. The gospel reading was bought to life, though I am pretty sure it pales in comparisons to the real moment, but getting this close is quiet humbling and brings much into perspective. Later, we all enjoyed some hot cross buns afterwards.

Veronica and Peter.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Stay tuned for lots more.

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