Caribbean Cuisine’s Curious Cast of Characters

By Mark Johanson | December 23 2011 8:50 AM

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Conch

Conch salad, conch callaloo, conch ceviche, and, of course, conch fritters dominate menus across the Caribbean, but what is conch? Conch is the critter that lives inside those shells often used as blow horns in Hollywood movies. Residents of the Caribbean use conch from the surrounding seabed like we use chicken. It’s actually the second most popular edible snail in the world, surpassed only by escargot. If you’re squeamish about eating a snail, start with the deep fried conch fritters to acquaint your palate with the flavor.

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GBP/USD - British Pound Dollar, American Session - 01/02/08

1,9849. GBP USD is in a consolidation after the last bullish movement. GBP USD is in a range between 1,9825 and 1,9950. The volatility rises. Bollinger bands are deviated. Oscillators are neutral. The price should find a support above 1,9825. If the support is broken then the target will be 1,9700 (150 pips).

Resistances: 1,9890 - 1,9950
Supports: 1,9825 - 1,9725

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USD/CAD - US Dollar Canadian Dollar, American Session - 01/02/08

0,9974. USD CAD is in a range between 0,9900 and 1,0090. USD CAD moves without trend and swings around exponential moving averages (EMA 50 and 100). Bollinger bands are parallel and form the trend. 1H ForexSto (Modified Stochastic) indicate a bearish pressure on USD CAD. 4H ForexSto (Modified Stochastic) crosses and gives a negative signal. The price should continue to move in 0,9900 / 1,0090 range. If the support is broken then the target will be 0,9400.

Resistances: 1,0010 - 1,0090
Supports: 0,9950 - 0,9900

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EUR/USD - Euro Dollar, American Session - 01/02/08

1,4888. EUR USD is in an uptrend supported by 1H exponential moving averages. The volatility is low. Bollinger bands are parallel and form the trend. ForexTrend 1H, 4H, daily (Mataf Trend Indicator) is in a bullish configuration. 1H, 4H ForexSto (Modified Stochastic) indicate a bullish pressure on EUR USD. The price should find a resistance below 1,4900. If the resistance is broken then the target will be 1,5000+.

Resistances: 1,4900 - 1,5000
Supports: 1,4850 - 1,4815

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USD/CHF - Dollar Swiss Franc, American Session - 01/02/08

1,0802. USD CHF is in an downtrend directed by 1H exponential moving averages. USD CHF is in a consolidation after the last bearish movement. The volatility decreases. Bollinger bands are parallel and form the trend. ForexTrend 1H, 4H, daily (Mataf Trend Indicator) is in a bearish configuration. The price should find a resistance below 1,0830. The downtrend should continue to gather momentum.
=> We could take a short position at 1,0800. We will put the stop loss above 1,0835 (-35 pips). The targets are 1,0700 (+100 pips) 1,0600 (+200 pips). Each trade is dangerous, take care and put your stop loss. Trade configuration (1 Speculative -> 4 Trend following): 3.

Resistances: 1,0810 - 1,0830
Supports: 1,0770 - 1,0700

What is conch? How do you jerk a chicken? Is a johnny cake really a cake?

Decoding a Caribbbean menu can easily befuddle the first-time traveler.

Island cuisine is a creative and lively synthesis of Old and New World foods. Caribbean dishes are a fusion of African, Amerindian, European, Chinese, and East Indian flavors.

Integrating traditions from distant lands with ingredients from the lush local hills and crystalline sea, Caribbean cooking has evolved an identity all it's own.

Of course, if you're taste buds don't favor the flavors, you can always numb them with the most recognizable island staple: a stiff rum cocktail.

Press Start for a sampling of four Caribbean essentials worth savoring - and the best cocktails to wash them down.