Gracefoods

Garden Cherry, West Indian Cherry, Barbados Cherry: Malpighia punicifolia

The Garden Cherry, also known as Barbados Cherry and West Indian Cherry has been found for many years in most of the islands of the Caribbean. This fruit was first brought into prominence in 1949 when it was discovered that it possesses a very high amount of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

The Garden Cherry is often eaten straight from the tree but is also fresh squeezed, strained and sweetened to make a refreshing drink. For dessert use, they are delicious, stewed with whatever amount of sugar is desired to modify the acidity of the particular type available.

Garden Egg (Solanum melangena)

The Garden Egg – also known as ‘Eggplant’ and ‘Aubergine’ –has a number of varieties and though the usual colour of this shiny skinned vegetable is a deep purple – red, yellow, and even white varieties exist.

Guava, Guayaba: ( Psidium guajava)

Guava is the authentic Arawak name of this succulent, pear shaped, fruit, rich in vitamin C.
The smell and taste are intense and perfumy. Guava is used green or ripe in punches, syrups, jams, chutneys, ice creams and an all-island paste known as guava cheese. The leaves of the tree are used in folk medicine with a folk song claiming, ‘guava root a medicine fe go cure di young gal fever’.