Ackee: Jamaica’s National Fruit

Since Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence from Britain has just passed, we though it would be nice to do some short features on this fair land’s national emblems. We may sell hardware, but we’re human after all, and we’re as proud of our country as anyone else.

So let’s start with the most interesting symbol:  the ackee. This is the only edible emblem we have, and so I guess it tops the list (combined with callaloo and fried dumplings, of course).

Jamaicans are some of the few people who actually view this interesting fruit as a food item. In most places where it exists, particularly in Africa, it is used for decoration (ahhh, they don’t know what they’re missing…). The fruit is made up of three jet-black seeds surrounded by (delicious) yellow flesh and a tough green skin which turns red ready the fruit is mature. That skin is initially closed, concealing the seeds and flesh inside, but once the ackee is ripe, that red skin bursts open, revealing the yummy contents inside.

Now, when we say “fruit”, we’re being technical. You can just pick an ackee off a tree and eat it. No, no, we prepare and cook this thing like scrambled eggs (or tofu, if you’re vegetarian). It’s tastes divine and it never fails to remind us of Jamaica with its green leaves, black seeds and yellow flesh. Even the red skin throws in the Rastafarian element. But, that’s a topic for another time.

How To Buy Paint

If it needs brightening up, paint it (your spouse and children being a big exception). Painting is a lot cheaper than buying something new, and so you may want to get familiar with a few terms and tips before you come out to Stewart’s Hardware, or your nearest paint store.

One of the first things you’ll need to know is exactly what paint is best for your project. You have two basic choices: latex, and oil.

Getting A New Kitchen Countertop

Photo from www.trendir.com.

Some kitchen counters are just plain ugly. That shouldn’t be–it takes all the charm out of the kitchen! Planning to remodel? Let’s talk about the things you need to take into consideration.
Kitchen counters are more than decorations–they’re highly functional, and no kitchen is really a kitchen without them. From cooking to storing to serving, it forms the platform from which nearly all food-prep activities take place.

So, let’s suppose we’re going to shop for new counters. What do you need to