To Paradise and Back

There are few things more delicious than fresh fish and local fare, which is exactly what I feasted upon on my recent trip to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. One can only dream up the colors there, where vibrancy and passion are a simply-stated requirement. The locals demonstrate a love for food and drink, creating traditional dishes with West-African inspirations and a little bit of American love. One of the first meals I indulged in was a Jerk chicken wrap, served with hand-cut fries. While the fries served as more of a filling element to the hearty snack, the wrap shined as a tasty and fun experience. Jerk seasoning, a Jamaican import, is a dry rub comprised of allspice (referred to as "pimento" in Jamaica) and Scotch bonnet peppers. Throw in a little cinnamon, clove, salt and a few other seasoning staples, and you've got a vibrant mixture that can tantalize any taste buds. Not to mention, it's got just the right amount of heat--not too spicy, but definitely not dull. It was the perfect addition to the chicken, fresh tomatoes and lettuce that were wrapped in a puffy flour tortilla.

My first bite of true island flavors.

What I really love about this rub, aside from the delicious flavors it has, is that it follows in line with the vibrance of the islands with a bright burnt-Sienna color. It also is incredibly adaptable, which allowed me to try it with chicken, fish, shrimp, and beef.

Though I was only in St. Thomas for 6 days, it seemed plenty of time to get acquainted with all of the  fineness-without-frills that seem to be the island standard. Of course, this traditional fare has to be sought-out because there are plenty of restaurants that solely cater to the tourists' tastes (AKA American crap). If you have the intention to immerse yourself in an island perspective though, the opportunity is there. You just have to have a sense of adventure!