Yesterday we had the most amazing mango – the lady I bought it from, one of the fruit vendors in town, called it a papaya mango. Check out the photo. It was naturally ripe, plump and sweet and bursting with juice. I swear it squirted out juice when I cut into it. The flesh was tender and succulent, not stringy or pulpy whatsoever. We dug into it with relish; finished it in no time. Then I went to work on the pit like it was a piece of jerk chicken, holding it in my hands and stripping it clean with my teeth. It was delectably delicious - a fruity bacchanalia. Afterwards my hands, forearms, chin and cheeks were covered in thick, sweet mango juice; I had to take a shower to clean up. Eating this papaya mango was an experience that was on par with biting into a King Gizzada.
Today was the monthly market day in Negril. The market is held in an open field just north of the bridge on the beach side. We walked down there from our place. It was a hot morning and much, much hotter in the market area. There are many stalls and tons of fruit and vegetables, all at rock-bottom prices. Most things are sold by the pound, just like rope. The prices are posted on a big board. We stocked up on scallions, oranges, papayas, tomatoes and bananas. Bea bought some sorrel and ginger – she wants to make up her own sorrel drink, a popular thing in Jamaica at Christmas. We also bought our Christmas fruit cake, yah, mon. It weighs a pound and features chocolate. Can’t wait until next Wednesday!
It was so hot in there that by the time we left the market we had little streams of sweat running down our backs. This afternoon however, it is raining in Negril.
Tomorrow we plan to walk up the West End Road.
The papaya mango beside a papaya.
Cheap, mon!!
The FRESH fruits and vegetables in Jamaica are a true blessing.
The funky looking purplish stuff that looks like insect bodies is sorrel.
Scallions by the truckload!
