Oil Down

Carolyn and I have been wanting to go to an oil down and our chance came last week. A trip was organized by local cruisers to go to a local oil down and visit a nearby water falls on the way. We had a great time and ate plenty. Along the way we stopped at a local rum shop and had 3 beers for 10 EC (almost $4 US). Then off to the falls. The falls were very pretty and everyone had a dip, the water was actually cold and felt good.

Concord Falls

Oil Down.

OK, it doesn't look like much but it is actually very good. I had a talk with one of the cooks, Kisha, and she explained how it is done. In a large pot goes grated coconut and turmeric (known as saffron here in the West Indies) then meat (chicken usually), dasheen, breadfruit, other tubers if available, large dumplings and all of this is covered with callalou (a type of edible greens that looks like elephant ears) on top. Enough water is added till about half of the ingredients are covered, then it is covered with a lid and brought to a boil.
The coconut produces an oil that floats to the top and when it cooks long enough for the oil to mix into the rest of the ingredients (the oil goes down, hence the name oil down), it is done.

This oil down was done on the side of the road next to .... Yep you guessed it ..... a rum shop.

You've just got to love this place.

Kisha, one of the oil down cooks.