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Friday 10 March 2023 locAl
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Veggie Boost

When it comes to veggies B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin
the island certainly offers B7 (biotin). B vitamins are
a home-grown selection. known to help ease feel-
They taste delicious and ings of anxiety and buffer
have their specific talents some of the damaging ef-
to boost your immune sys- fects of stress. Additionally
tem. Start the day with a this veggie is rich in two of
‘batida’ (smoothie) en- the most basic elements
riched with a local veggie needed for healthy diges-
touch or select your restau- tion: water and fiber. Sea-
rant that offers local vege- son: year- round.
table dishes to get the real
pure taste of it. Jambo
Family of Okra, also known
Konkomber chiquito as ‘lady’s fingers’: a green
This isasort of local squash, flowering plant. Okra be-
but looks like a cucumber longs to the same plant
with prickly skin. The taste family as hibiscus and cot-
however is bitterer than the ton. A classic favorite dish
cucumber and the vegeta- in Aruba is Sopi di Jambo.
ble is smaller in size but big- It has long been favored
ger in width. Inside is a soft, as a food for the health-
fleshy pulp and seeds, just conscious. It contains po-
like the cucumber. Konk- tassium, vitamin B, vitamin
omberchiquito is grown in C, folic acid, and calcium.
the island and used in sal- It’s low in calories and has a has been suggested to and firm), sautéing, shal- sures of pumpkin and enjoy
ads and ‘stoba’ (stew) or high dietary fiber content. help manage blood sugar low frying, and deep fry- Caribbean pumpkin reci-
on its own in vinegar. The Recently, a new benefit of in cases of type 1, type 2, ing. With cooking, the long pes year round. A popular
veggie contains multiple B including okra in your diet and gestational diabetes. bean’s bean flavor intensi- dish in Aruban restaurants
vitamins, including vitamin is being considered. Okra Season: year- round. fies. Long beans are low in is Sopa Di Pompuna, don’t
calories, about 45 calories miss it. This dish is made of
Bonchi' Cunucu per cup, and rich in vitamin pumpkin soup, and pars-
A long, small bean, boiled A and also contain vitamin ley. Pumpkins are rich in
for a side dish or snack. C and potassium. Season: flavonoid polyphenolic
Long beans have a chewy, year-round. antioxidants such as xan-
crunchy texture–more so thin, lutein and carotenes
than snap beans–and a Pompuna and also contain vitamins.
flavor reminiscent of the dry In the endless summer of Pumpkin seeds are a good
navy bean or asparagus. Caribbean living we only source of omega-3 fatty
Besides stir-fry, soups and have to concern ourselves acids, vitamins, minerals
salads, the long bean is a with a wet season and a and proteins. Pumpkins
good choice for stewing, dry season. Still we do in- are used to make desserts,
braising (to remain chewy dulge heavily in the plea- breads and soups.q

Can I have a …, please?

ORANJESTAD — Want to taste something dif-
ferent for a change?? How about a different
breakfast from what you are used to at your
hotel. Hop in your car, drive around and any-
where around the island you will come across
a local snack shop.

Here you will find all types of snacks loved by
the locals. Try a pastechi, a Caribbean pastry
filled with cheese or meat and fried up deli-
ciously. Or perhaps you might want to try a
croquette, a crusty little meat ball. A dedito
is also a good option, it’s a stick made out of
cheese or hotdog. If you want to try something
more familiar go for a homemade hamburger
or a ham and cheese toast, but with a local
touch. All these snacks are ridiculously addic-
tive. Freshen up with a delicious fruit shake
(batido) made out of watermelon, strawberry,
banana, papaya or just mix any fruit together.
What makes these little snack shops more at-
tractive is the warmth of its people and with
the smile you are being served.q