Culinary Traditions of St. Croix: A Brief History of Island Lifestyles

Culinary Traditions of St. Croix: A Brief History of Island Lifestyles

An easy-to-read brief history of the lifestyles of the people who have inhabited the island of St. Croix in. today's U.S. Virgin Islands. From the Amerindian Era several thousand years ago, we learn of the lifestyles of people who originated in South America. The arrival of Columbus in 1483 brought a Spanish occupation and decline of the Amerindians, followed by Dutch and English short-termed settlements, ended by France who occupied the island from 1650 to 1700 and abandoned it until it was purchased by Denmark in 1733, That purchase brought a major development of a new economy involving sugar cane cultivation and importation of African slaves, bringing great wealth from that valuable commodity that also contributed rum. The island was a cosmopolitan hub for many years until Europe discovered sugar beets as a competitor, The large population of enslaved individuals of African heritage continued, also after Emancipation in 1848. In 1917, the island and sister islands St. Thomas and St. John was sold by Denmark to the United States in 1917 to prevent Germany from taking possession of the strategically located island near the new Panama Canal. Today the island is an unincorporated U. S. territory, and most hold U.S. citizenship. Our population of about 60,000 is an interesting mix of many nationalities that have set their mark, primarily during the almost 200 years under Danish rule. Much of that time is documented in Danish archives and allows us a glimpse of the lifestyle in a society so different from the Danish homeland so far away and with such a different climateime. The hardships of daily life continued under .S. Navy administration, but eventually the island started welcoming visitors and discontinued sugar cultivation in favor of heavy industry. Tourism is also a major industry, and many redisents are from the mainland. We are seeing a major initiative in agriculture which the book addresses with enthusiasm. The book touches on the dietary challenges and pluses of the tropical environment abd provides a few signature recipes that have prevailed through the island's history, A listing of edible plants from the 1790's supplies an impressive quantity., and a few facts presented provide a chuckle. This brief report is easy reading and could even interest younger readers.