1st Annual Fungi Turning Contest

Emancipation Day 2006

Fungi is a side dish made of cornmeal. It is typically served with fish but can be served with other meats as well. It is a traditional dish coming down to us from colonial times and the days of slavery when cornmeal was one of the rations given out to the African workers. The first ever Fungi Turning Contest turned out to be more of a demonstration since there was only one entry. So, all you Crucians out there who say you can cook, let's see a real challenge next year. See if you can beat Mrs. Anna M. Petersen!

	A crowd formed to observe and probably learn all about Fungi Turning the old fashioned way. There were rules detailing how the fungi was to be made and no fast and easy methods were to be employed.

	Fungi takes time. First the fire has to be started in the coalpot (good to have one to use during hurricane season) and fanned to get the flame going well enough to boil water. Then the water and okra are boiled together.

	It takes some time for the right boil to be achieved.

	Meanwhile, the Fried Fish Sauce was being prepared. The Sauce made up of tomatoes, onions, peppers and other seasonings. Is that an Old Wife? (the fish, not the woman) Old Wife is also known as a Trigger Fish to others.

	And also meanwhile, under the arches of the Custom's House, food and drinks and coconut water were on sale.

	And then it was time to pour in the cornmeal. A little at a time, but not too slowly either.

	Now for some serious turning.

	Turning and turning and turning!

	Now the fungi and the fish sauce are both racing to the finish line.

	And finally, the fungi is done.

	Now the fungi is made up into a soft ball shape and presented to the judges for tasting.

	The judges savor the individual dishes and then the dishes together.