Exploring Nature: Good Eats

In my far-flung travels, I have had the pleasure of staying at some fine hotels and resorts and partaking of some mouthwatering dishes.

I think one of the most memorable trips was to the Asa Wright Lodge in Trinidad. Meals were served cafeteria-style and I asked one of the serving ladies if she could make the national dish of Trinidad – Callaloo, a combination of spinach, okra and coconut with stewed chicken.

She said no problem and the dish was served the next evening, along with stewed pigeon peas – just absolutely delicious.

In Texas, some of my best eating came at the old Hotel Blessing, in – surprise – Blessing. They featured a weekend buffet served in the spacious dining room by local ladies and featuring such dependable staples as fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes and green beans. The hotel rooms weren’t much, I think it was a two-star place, but that food remains in my happy memory.

Only breakfast was served at the Luther Hotel in Palacios, but the two-story hotel had marvelous ocean views over the bay and in our penthouse suite, you could walk out on a splendid balcony.

What really set the room apart was that Rita Hayworth had slept in the same bed. It seems there was an Army base nearby during World War II and she had stayed at the Luther penthouse while entertaining the troops. So I could honestly say I slept in the same bed Rita slept in.

Finally, you might be interested in a few other national dishes. For the United States, it is the hamburger; for Russia it is pelmeni, a pasty dumpling; China, Peking duck; Barbados, coo-coo and flying fish; Hungary, goulash; Austria, wiener schnitzel, and France, pot-au-fen, which I am told is sliced eggplant in a spicy batter. I would have expected something with snails, perhaps.

In closing, I hope you have lots of great eating and someday get to try Callaloo.