Do you want to enjoy a savoury treat on Crooked Island? Steer clear of the routine and prepare for a novel experience! Expect it if you dare to explore the natural world and want to sample local fare.

Such an adventure means you will need to dive into the cultural aspects of the island. Immersion is unnecessary; but a curiosity to explore what may be novel is key. What do you need for this expedition? Did you pack a sun hat? You didn't or forgot?  Not to worry. Choose a broad rim straw hat  that has been designed ,and handcrafted  with a personal touch by the 'straw lady' who owns and operates a store in Colonel Hill. Ask about this artisan and allow her to show you her stock of fine,authentic, Bahamian straw work. While you are there, pick up a large straw basket. A part of the novelty is the uniqueness. However, you can find a selection of hats in Landrail Point too.

The tropical heat provides a bitter sweet experience at times. Dress light so that you can remain cool. Troughs occur frequently at intervals during the summer months. One minute the sun is hot and blue skies with clouds reign. A few minutes later, a light shower might halt activities outdoors abruptly  Sometimes the rain falls on the just and unjust. But, occasionally, the rain may bypass the just or unjust! While one area is having a downpour, the adjacent areas  may have bright sunshine. Local residents call it 'troughic' weather.

All islands of the Bahamas have crabs. However the Tropic of Cancer passes through Long Island and the Exumas. Crooked Island is close to Long Island; and crabs flourish in the ponds and bushes  here. It is not unusual to see them congregate in twos, threes and larger groups. Have you ever seen a land crab? Have you ever caught one? Catching crab is an art! One morning on the way to work, I counted fifteen crabs that crossed the road or scurried into the nearby bush. One crab was particularly slow and I did not want to squash it with my car tires. When it reached the other side, it raised its pincers - what the locals call biters - then disappeared into the bush. A crab is safe with me; I am vegetarian. However, sometimes they take this knowledge for granted and wander into the backyard. Of course, crab catchers are waiting for them; and on any given night during crab season, it is easy to grab a dozen or more of them effortlessly!

A few weeks ago, two boys were catching crabs along the  road in South Andros. Suddenly they disappeared without a trace! Concerned citizens formed a search party.U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and Police dogs joined the search for them. Everyone wondered where they could be and how they were surviving in the forest. A candlelight vigil with prayer was held; and thirty three days later, two emaciated boys emerged  from the forest and were picked up by the district nurse who was passing at the time. They were flown to New Providence and eventually  hospitalized. The story of their experience in the woods of  South Andros is better reading than Hansel and Gretel or Red Riding Hood! It grips the reader with suspense and excitement; then it leaves one hungry, waiting for the next installment! An exclusive account for Insight  is shared in  July 20,2009 issue of The Tribune, a local Bahamian  newspaper, by a staff reporter.

But there is no need to worry about disappearing on Crooked Island. In Landrail Point, a community  where a high percentage of the residents follow biblical dietary guidelines, the competition for crab is almost non-existent. That might explain why some crabs in that area are so brazen! Once you have learned the technique of how to catch a crab, the next step is catching it  Boast about your capture to your friends with a digital photo. Watch them turn green with envy as you recount the excitement of the moment when you caught a land crab!

Now that you have captured a crab and it has opened its pincers to show you its frightening size, you can release it or catch some more. Crab catchers use a covered container- often a bucket ; but there are other options. A pertinent question remains: Are you catching the crab for a fun experience, or do you plan to eat it as a meal? Your 'crabbing' guide can help you with whatever decision you make at the time.

Along the road in Landrail Point are bushes that provide a delicious treat.  Some of the plums are white; and others are black. They grow in a pond or near water. The other day a friend and  I stopped to pick some coco plums . Who should I meet ? A giant gold and bronze crab looked at me, probably wondering why I chose his bush, just when he was getting  ready to eat his dinner. We did not argue. He hurried off because he knew that I was not going to wade through water for plums. I picked the white ones until I was tired of them; then I moved down the road to the bushes with the black ones. I took photos too; and some are worth sharing.

When you are rambling for fruits, you need to know where to go. You need a guide unless you are adventurous. Guineps are in season at the same time as coco plum; and this year the trees are 'hang' or buckled down with fruits. Heavy laden fruit trees are usually indicative of an active hurricane season as demonstrated by the 2005 experiemce. On Crooked Island, some settlements have more guinep trees than others; but usually, there is at least one tree. Some guineps are jumbo and syrupy while others may be small and sweet. By August, it is time to sample them.  A few trees may have fruits that are ready. However, the  rain from tropical storms or hurricanes complete the ripening process. By the end of September, most if not all of the fruits are gone. Then the guineps may start to 'turn back'. When the fruit is opened, instead of  pink, it is brown; and the fruit tastes different.

One fruit that cannot be hidden is a sapodilla. Call it naseberry,sapodilly or dilly; it makes no difference. It is a  fruit with a brown interior and exterior   as well as black seeds. One doctor, who was visited by a woman with a digestive ailment, recommended  that she eat the 'brown apples'. That is good advice as  those who eat dillies save many trips to the doctor and pharmacy. The size varies from lollipop to grapefruit or larger. All are naturally sweet. They can be picked when full and place in a brown paper bag or cardboard box to continue the ripening process. The aroma of a ripe dilly is unforgettable; and those who savour it follow their noses!

Soursop or guanabana flourishes during the summer. Besides providing a savoury fruit, the leaves provide a delicious tea that can be served hot or cold. A juice can be prepared from the fruit- as well as frozen treats. Some people call it 'sweetsop' because it does not need to be sweetened. But those who make ice cream, icicles in the ice trays or other creative desserts may choose to use sweetened and or unsweetened milk. Right now, I have a large frozen soursop in a container. I am waiting for a cheese cloth; then I will become creative. How does soursop cake or soursop souffle sound?

Have you ever tasted boiled green papaya or papaw? I have; and it is scrumptious. However, I like papaya that is ripe. At first, I protested the idea because it was novel to me. But, I discovered that a green papaya can be boiled, mashed in the same way as one does mashed potatoes and after being well- seasoned, made into patties or cakes and fried. Boiled papaya is preferred to fried papaya cakes, especially for the calorie conscious individuals like me. By tomorrow, I expect that a papaya will be ripe enough for me to eat raw and savour.

Guess how many different types of mangoes I ate the other day?  My father grew the large variety of turpentine mangoes on his farm. I could eat of them freely when I desired them. On Crooked Island, I have to curb my appetite and wait for gifts  of another fruit that announces its presence.  The hairy mango- which my father referred to as Number 11-  is abundant and very sweet. It is a common mango tree. However, the Hayden is a special treat when one receives it as a gift. At a nursery, it is possible to find bearing trees. That is easier than throwing a seed outside and waiting five years for it to produce fruit.

Do you know what switcha is? Only a few people know how to make it. First, it is not lemonade because switcha cannot be made with lemons. It is made with sour orange or citrus stock. The sour orange tree is used to graft or bud orange, tangerine, grapefruit, tangelo, callamander, lime and lemon trees. Somehow, an orange seed when planted here produces a 'switcha' tree. The leaf of this tree can be used alone. However, when it is combined with fever[lemon] grass and [avocado] pear leaf, it creates an inimitable flavour. Add a twist of  fresh lime juice and nobody can describe the results. You have to taste this one for yourself!

Finally, the avocado pear provides a tasty treat with breakfast, lunch ,dinner or supper! A favourite with  some Bahamians is boiled fish, Johnny cake, yellow hominy grits and avocado pear- preferably for breakfast. But this meal can be eaten at any time of the day. A chunky piece of avocado between two slices of whole wheat bread will prove sufficient for some people. Peas 'n rice with fried fish- preferably grouper fingers, steamed cutlets  or fried  snapper- served with pear and  other vegetables, will provide a satiable meal for some people. For a refreshing beverage, add fresh coconut water with some jelly. Make it unleaded for the novice and teetotalers. The coconut beverage can be transformed to a daiquiri- teetotaler special - in minutes.

Crooked Island, remote and located in the southeastern Bahamas, offer much to  those who desire an exotic  expedition in cultural food - specifically fruits. Do you desire to know more? Next time you can ramble in the bush for dohling[darling] plum, seven year apple, pond[custard] apple and wild dilly. Until then, stay  tuned to fresh, unique, original content from Crooked Island, a majestic jewel with shimmering waters and clean, soft powdery, white sand. Come and enjoy  a savoury treat, more than the mundane.