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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE - JULY 2005
Pineapple
Welcome fruit of Eleuthera
Think of pineapples and you can't help but think of the tropics. Many people associate pineapples with Hawaii. But the reality is Hawaii originally imported its "pines" from The Bahamas.
In fact, Eleuthera, the first Bahama island to be successfully settled by Europeans, has a long history as a world-famous pineapple capital.
In the 1800s, Eleuthera "reds" were exported by the tons to Europe and North America.
In those days it was one of the world's most expensive exotic gourmet treats. In fact, the pineapple was so prized it became the symbol of classy hospitality.
To this day, pineapples act as a warm welcome. The wealthy man's fruit.
In the US, pineapples became the hospitality symbol of the super-rich in their summer playground of Newport, Rhode Island.
The pineapple craze dates to the heyday of Newport shipping when sea captains brought pineapples home from the Caribbean. A captain would place a pineapple in front of his Newport home to indicate his house was now open to visitors after his return from sea.
A British Colonial Royal Governor of the Bahama Islands was so enamoured of pineapples that he gave his Scottish hideaway home a pineapple-shaped dome. Today it is a tourist attraction, as is Nassau's Fort Charlotte, built by the same pineapple fan, the Earl of Dunmore.
These days, pineapples are still Eleuthera's quintessential trademark, a fact which is celebrated every summer with a Pineapple Festival.
Tropical treats
Bahamians prepare the pineapple fruit in a variety of ways, ranging from tarts and upside-down cake to drinks - including pineapple-flavoured rum. Many of the special Bahamian cocktails you will find here contain pineapple rum or pineapple juice. Pick up a jar of Bahamian pineapple jam made right here. It can be found in grocery and souvenir stores.
With the advent of canning, pineapples are no longer a rich person's fruit. So, while you're in the original home of the pineapple, make sure you try some of our Bahamian pineapple-flavoured treats.
Bahama mama
1-1/2 oz gold rum
1-1/2 oz Nassau Royale
2 oz orange juice
2 oz pineapple juice
Dash of angostura bitters
1/6 oz grenadine
Shake ingredients together and serve in a tall glass garnished with fruit.
Pina colada
1-1/2 oz white rum
1 oz coconut cream liqueur
2 oz pineapple juice
Crushed ice
Combine ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and serve in a tall glass garnished with fruit.
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