Appetisers

The arrival of a relative or guest from abroad is a good enough excuse to take time off from work and gather a group of friends on the patio. More often than not this will develop into a drinking session and, though you might have started with freshly squeezed limeade, offers of beer or rum will soon be made. Bar drinks call for salty snacks and these can vary in size and complexity, depending on the type of occasion and how long it is before the next meal. These snacks are called ‘cutters’ in Trinidad. You will get all kinds of crispy and crunchy nibbles: roasted peanuts or cashews; fried banana or plantain or coconut chips; or fishy dishes like Trinadian Bui Jol - similar to Jamaican ‘Pick-up Salt Fish’ - or Solomon Gundy served on crackers; ackra (salt fish) fritters or salsa dips.