Tun Cornmeal Tun Up!

 

Tun Cornmeal

Since this week, I've found myself yearning for the comforting embrace of a dish deeply rooted in our traditions – 'tun cornmeal,' or as some prefer to call it, the more refined 'Turn cornmeal.' The memories of savouring this delightful meal in recent times at the Iberostar Hotel in Montego Bay have lingered in my digestive system, igniting a desire to reclaim the essence of our heritage through a reimagined culinary experience.

So I decided to recreate the magic of 'tun cornmeal' in my kitchen, infusing it with the aromatic delights of curry, pimento seeds, and an assortment of other natural spices, complemented by the velvety richness of coconut milk. Surprisingly, my humble rendition surpassed the flavours of the esteemed hotel, prompting me to contemplate the importance of restoring our traditional foods in the face of rising global food prices.

In the midst of the chaos of today's world, I advocate for a return to our culinary roots, a call to action to plant what we eat and cherish the bounty of our land. Climate change and geopolitical conflicts loom large, impacting our agriculture and contributing to the closure of high-end restaurants abroad, even echoing through the streets of Jamaica, where the likes of "nasty Alice"  recently disrupted the rhythm of street food.

As I reflect on the economic challenges, the relentless inflation, and the struggles faced by those earning minimum wage, the urgency to reconnect with our food sources becomes even more apparent. There are also the health implications of our modern diet. Look at the alarming rise in cancer cases to the consumption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Undeterred by warnings from my neighbours of potential theft, I proudly cultivated my own fruit trees, transforming the backyard into a haven of organic delights – sweet sops, sour sops,  lemons, cherries, otaheiti apples and mangoes, with only the persistent challenge of a love bush menacing my lemon tree. Through it all, I find myself smiling. I’m determined to overcome the complexities of our changing world while preserving the authenticity of our culinary heritage.

Tun Cornmeal.. with a little curry.”.tun up”..and *is no longer restricted to our dear beloved best friends.. (the dogs..lol)

Editor's Note:

Ms Lois Grant - JP, MA, BA.(Hons) Dip Mass Comm, Cert. Broadcast Journalism BBC-London. Lois Grant's involvement in the communications and creative industry began in the newsroom at the now-defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) . She then went on to head the Public Relations unit, at the now-defunct Grimax Advertising. From there, Grant went into partnership with the creation of the Promotions/Production agency.. Innercity Promotions. Innercity was responsible for the creation of the live dance hall series of concerts at the Harbour View and New Kingston Drive-in cinemas... the firsts in the history of entertainment in Jamaica. At the start of the '90s Grant formed her own agency under the banner, Corporate Image Communications and Productions. She stood out as a trailblazer in developing several innovative events as well as programmes for corporate brands such as Tastee Limited, Jamaica National Building Society, City of Kingston Cooperative Credit Union, and various government agencies. Looking back Grant notes that she has played her role in changing the political landscape of three Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. Her last assignment before taking early retirement, saw her as the Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica from 2007 - early 2013.