Guyana @ 50 - Gooseberry Syrup

Gooseberry Syrup is a childhood favourite. It is the transformation of tart green berries into soft, sweet berries in thick syrup, cooked with sugar and spices. The colour transformation from green to this rich, almost burgundy, always surprises and delights. While this berry-treat is mostly eaten as is, it is excellent over ice cream or topped on a cheesecake! Actually you can use it to top many desserts that can be served with a chunky berry sauce.

Gooseberry Syrup ©Cynthia Nelson

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A Few Fruits of Summer

Don't laugh. We enjoy summer weather all year round in the Caribbean but we do feel the difference during the months generally referred to as summer. Here we call it the August holidays. At this time of the year, apart from schools and college being closed, most people are traveling, taking vacation and enjoying the festivities of Carnival, Culturama, Emancipation and Kadooment among other things.

There are a variety of summer camps. You see children out and about - playing cricket in the street, riding their bicycles like a lil gang and bathing at the sea. The snowcone vendors increase their frequency around neighborhoods and so too does the ice cream truck. Sleeping in in the mornings and staying up way past regular bedtime is the order of the day. Good times.

No recipe this week, just a few images of some of the fruits to be enjoyed around this time. Next week, I'll share some more with you.

I hope your summer/August holidays are going well.

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