Due to popular demand we are reaching into our archives! Today we publish Buckston Harrison’s contribution to the March 8, 2007 edition of Buckston and Huber’s Alternative. Huber’s contribution is current.

Jamaicans have long known the usefulness of ginger, hence its prolific use for generations. This article serves therefore as a reintroduction to the herb that has served us in many ways, as medicine and as food.

Ginger is a biennial or a perennial herb native to the tropics in both hemispheres. It is a native to Southern Asia and was brought to the West Indies by the Spanish in the 16th century. It was widely used by sailors as a remedy for seasickness and rapidly spread throughout the West Indies, Africa, South America, Australia and some areas of North America.

The herb has long been recognised for thousands of years. The ancient Romans and Greeks

welcomed the flavouring agent from Southern Arabia and it has been used throughout the history of India. It was being used long ago as a valuable treatment for digestive disorders and in the 13th century Marco Polo tasted ginger in China and brought samples to Europe.

Buckston Harrison was well known for his work as a herbalist, especially in western Jamaica. He resided in Sheffield, Westmoreland until his untimely passing on Monday March 22, 2010.

Huber’s pear slaw with roasted breadfruit

Ingredients

* 1 avocado pear

* 1 large carrot

* 1/2 cabbage

* 1 onion

* 2 pegs garlic

* 2 stalks escallion

* 1 bell pepper

* 1 stalk fennell

* 2 leaves basil

* 1 sprig oregano

* 2 leaves french thyme

* 1 doxen blades of Chive

* 2 tablespoons lime juice/lemon or vinegar

* Paprika to taste

Method

*Wash all ingredients and shred into medium bowl

* finely chip garlic, onion, escallion and pepper

* Mix with carrot and cabbage

* Ad vinegar, lemon or lime and paprika

* Finle chop the green herbs and add

* Dice avocado into four-inch cubes, add to bowl and stir

* Serve with roasted breadfruit or whole wheat bread for a healthy enjoyable breakfast

Thomas ‘Bongo Tommy’ Huber is a Swiss national who migrated to Westmoreland’s Retrieve District over 10 years ago. He is a naturalist who lives off the land and is deeply involved in an ongoing effort to create Jamaica’s next generation of exotic fruit trees.