West Indies a geographical term which the NSOED neatly defines as the chain of islands between Florida and Trinidad, is not synonymous with the Caribbean, but the two terms are often used alike; W. Indies cookery and Caribbean cookery would not normally be taken to be two different subjects. Anyway, they are here treated as one—a big one which could easily be the basis of half a dozen or more entries but is better treated as a unity, because of the recurring patterns to be found within it and the common ingredients which do much to mark the cuisines of the various islands.
