Fungee & Pepperpot (Antigua & Barbuda)
Fungee and pepperpot are the
national dish of Antigua and Barbuda, and while one might think they would
serve some kind of mushroom and pepper stew, the truth is much more interesting
than the unusual name suggests. Fungee is a polenta-like bread ball made from
cornmeal mixed with okra.
To make fungee, okra is boiled in
salted water and mixed with moist cornmeal until the mixture solidifies. When
the mixture does not stick to the pan, the fungee is ready to be consumed.
Pepperpot, on the other hand, is a one-pot stew originally from Guyana but
adapted to the Caribbean islands.
The main ingredient in papperpot
is a thick, sticky liquid obtained from the roots of the bitter cassava plant
and is extremely poisonous if not cooked properly, so care should be taken, if
not bold, when making the dish. The stew is traditionally made with any meat or
fish available and usually includes cow's heel and pork tail, but it's not
uncommon to add meat or fish found in the kitchen.
As this meal consisted of two
separate meals brought together, it can be traced back to the times of the
slave population in the region, where the combination of cheap meat and
carbohydrates provided a balanced and nutritious diet for a day's hard work.
ENJOY YOUR MEAL