In this post I’ll attempt to explain what “Ground Provisions” are, the part it plays in Caribbean cuisine and a simple recipe for preparing everyday ground provisions. In previous recipes I’ve shared, I’ve commented on using ground provisions and over time I’ve come to realize that I had left my readers a bit confused when I did. It’s one of those things where you assume everyone knows what you’re speaking about and don’t give it much thought.
Ground Provision, Provision, Blue Food, Dry Food, Food For The Back, Country Food… yes, I just had to add some more confusion to the mix. These are just some of the other names people use when the refer to ground provision in the Caribbean (BTW if you have a different name for ground provision, do share with us in the comments below). And though it’s called “Ground” not all the items are directly from the ground. Ground provision or provision is one of the main staples I grew up on living in Trinidad and Tobago. That rice and flour made up a major part of our diet. I guess it can be compared to the way potato is used globally.
So what is considered provisions? Yam, Sweet potato, eddoes, dasheen, taro, tania, cassava, breadfruit, plantain, moko and green fig (banana). And for the most part, the most common way of preparing the majority of items, is by boiling. Like in the recipe I’m about to share below…
You’ll Need…
4 medium eddoes
4 medium sweet potatoes
1 taro (about 2lbs)
1 teaspoon salt
* I went looking for dasheen in the grocery store and saw what I thought was dasheen, but they had it labeled as Taro.
* Tip – When working with ground provisions, it’s best if you rub some cooking oil all over your hands or use a pair of latex gloves, as you may find that your hands may itch from handling them when peeling.
Peel the eddoes, sweet potato and taro and cut into chunky pieces, but make sure they’re about the same size (I usually just cut the sweet potato and eddoes in halves) so they cook uniformly. If you’re peeling them in advance of cooking, be sure to place them in a deep bowl and cover with cool water to prevent them from going discoloured.
I’ve seen where people put a pot of water to boil, then add the provisions, but I much prefer to place the peeled provisions into a deep pot, cover with water and then bring to a boil on a high heat. When it comes to a boil, you then add the salt and turn the heat down to a simmer.
As it boils you’ll notice some stuff start to settle at the top, that’s mainly starch and other impurities that you can spoon off and discard.
Allow this to boil for about 20 minutes or until you can pierce through a piece with a sharp knife without any resistance. While cooking this taro I noticed that it did cook faster than the sweet potato and eddoes, so I would suggest you either remove the taro after 15 minutes or so, or add them to the pot after the other provisions have been cooking for about 5 minutes. I much prefer removing, as if you add it during the cooking process it will lower the heat within the pot and you’ll have to adjust the heat.
The next step is to drain as you would if you were boiling potatoes and then enjoy. The options now are endless as you can re-fry these as I did in the “yam recipe” and the “cassava” recipe or eat them with stewed meats, make a pie as I saw being made in Tobago with bread fruit or simply top with some butter and/or cheese and enjoy. Two classic combinations for ground provisions are provision with tomato and salt fish and provision with saltfish buljol. And if you like eddoes, be sure to check out the eddoes talkari recipe I shared a while back.
With the provision I cooked above I had it with stewed pork – see pic below:
One of the things the majority of us from the Caribbean miss when we leave the shores of our beautiful islands is definitely the abundance and ease of getting fresh ground provisions. Whenever I get homesick I rush out to the many ethnic grocery stores to find some yam, dasheen, eddoes, green bananas or cassava (as a last resort only) and if I’m lucky I can score a breadfruit. A classic “oil down” using breadfruit simmered in stewed pork and coconut milk is the ultimate in comfort food for me. Not only is it packed with many layers of flavours, but it takes me back to my childhood when my dad and his friends would be up all night playing “all fours” and the menu for the night was oil down.
Yes, provisions makes up a huge part of everyday Caribbean culture and cuisine… what would Saturday soup be without provision?
During world war 2 when everything imported was rationed, my dad told me that provision was “king”, as there wasn’t much rice and flour entering the islands. And those who once frowned on what was considered “poor or country people” food, had no choice to to resort to eating it.
Leave me your comments below or join us on facebook for the lively discussions.
How to know how long these Cooked GROUND PROVISIONS be safe to eat after being refrigerated?
Author
once in the fridge after they cool, easily 2-3 days. Or you can freeze as well, but when thawed the texture may change
Wow! my late father grew all the mentioned ground provisions you posted and at times I wisch I had some of the right stuff, bravo to you!
Thank you Chris. I use ground provision when I make my soup and beef. The cassava I boil then fry with onions and garlic. Then make a stew sauce with tomatos seasoning and boiled salt fish and of course hot peppers
I thought Jamaicans called ground provision “Yard Food”. My ex, who is English, for
years thought ground provisions was called grand provisions. So it’s called grand provisions in my house.
Nice.
IVE NEVER HAD ANY OF THE ABOVE, SO AM LOOKING FORWARD TO TASTING THEM!! TONY MATHURA WHAT IS GOLDEN RAY?? A SPICE??
Its a cooking margarine that we use in Trinidad
Hey Chris,
Another name they are called is “ROOTS”
Hi Chris! I’m hoping you can explain how do I tell if something is ripe (without bringing my husband to the grocery store 🙂 )
I don’t know what ripe eddoes, dasheen, taro or cassava look like. Is there a colour or aroma or feel to tell if they are perfect?
Appreciate the help!
best good friday meal when you throw in the red beans, stir fried cabbage, and canned salmon. Fried plantains to kick it up a notch.
Chris,
You have to fry the provisions with a little Golden Ray, Onion, Garlic and Pimento Peppers. And don`t forget the hot pepper TRINIDAD style.
Yeah man !! Metagee !! Guyana style , however u missing a few tings , coconut milk, pig tail , cassava , half ripe plantains etc!!
In Dominican Republic we know it as víveres: yuca, yautía coca, yautía blanca, ñame, mapuey, plátanos, guineos, all tasty.
Hey very informative, could you please tell me the correct name for the ground food coaco not coaco as in chocolate. That ground food .
I love the taste of tania, and I'm a Yankee currently living in the U S Virgin Islands. Would love more famished recipes and nutrition info.
hard food
last time i eat provisions was in a split peas soup.So i have to try this..Looking good Chris,thanks
Oh gush, these recipes making my mouth water.
I'm a panamanian Jamaican descendant, we call it ground food, same product just different name, Love it.
Have you ever tried it. Boiled and then mashed with some Golden Ray,with some saltfish buljoy at the side with a cup of hot local Trinidad cocoa? It Deliscous!
I LOVE ground provisions. I have 2 containers of boiled cassava in my fridge right now along with boiled ripe plantains. Always have the stuff on hand.
Great post Chris! My husband is Vincentian and he loves his ground provision – I call it 'hard food'. He likes Tania, I like dasheen and cassava. I have a problem though, being able to peel cassava easily. Still looking for a easy technique. My mother makes it look so easy. Another thing he likes is to roast breadfruit but I don't think breadfruit falls in the category of ground provision but we prepare it as one.
It is interesting the different colors there are in the yams, there is the purple, yellow and white. I have a website about trini cooking and I prepared this page about ground provision – http://www.whatocook.com/groundprovision.html.
I have a question for you, Chris, I'm looking for some sort of ebook with recipes/cooking etc to offer to my visitors and am wondering if you have any suggestions.
Take care
On a snowy day like today, there is nothing better than cooking some soup with pig tails and ground provisions, sweet potato, dasheen, eddo, yams, breadfruit and of course dumplins.
I remember sitting out on the back step enjoying the weather while eating yams and curry fish. im feeling a bit nostalgic remembering those days, especially with this winter storm heading our way.
I really love ground provisions and they are so good for you!
I made some today as a stew with chicken and white rice on the side.
Hey Chris, My mom would take this another step and fry it with saltfish, onion, garlic and pepper. Love your recipes by the way.