Regular readers of our blog won’t be surprised that yet another YOLO (You Only Live Once) Moment of the Month is centred on family. This time we hosted a typical Jamaican fish fry for several members of my family on the night before New Year’s Eve.
My eldest brother Edward (aka Roxy) who lives in the United States, visits Jamaica a couple of times each year, and it’s always good to catch up with him.
Edward was visiting over the new year period and told me that he wanted to surprise our father. I decided that rather than have us all drive across the island to visit Dad, I would bring Dad to our house for the New Year holiday, and that we could surprise him by bringing Edward, my sister Celia and Edward’s partner Karen to our home for a traditional Jamaican fish fry.
The atmosphere of the garden was set with tiki lights and Christmas lights strewn across our cherry tree by De Marley, my nephew, who we call the “Boy Wonder.”
The cooking area was set-up up on the newly grassed area and the deck was set-up as an ultra-casual dining area.
I know that Dad was delighted to see Edward, although at first they greeted each other in a typical low-key fashion that definitely wasn’t worthy of being a highlight on an Oprah or Ellen day-time TV show! But it’s all love.
After a lovely grace of thanks offered by my father, we started with pumpkin soup that I made from pumpkins and scotch bonnet peppers grown in our own yard. If I may say so myself, it was delicious.
The star of the main course was the Jamaican classic, escovitch fish. Escovitch fish is crispy fried red snapper in a spicy pickled sauce made with onion, carrot strips, pimento berries (allspice) and scotch bonnet pepper. What many Jamaicans don’t know is that the dish originated in Persia (modern day Iran) and came to Jamaica from Spain, where it was known as Escabeche. There are also versions in Arabic, Italian, Greek, Filipino and Portuguese cultures too.
Anyway, enough of the food history lessons! We did have a logistical challenge as the fish were to be fried two floors away from the main kitchen, where I wanted to prepare the traditional Jamaican side-dishes of festival and fried ripe plantains. Now Nick is a good cook, but clueless when it comes to Jamaican food, despite living here for 16 years, so he was no help.
Fortunately, Edward’s partner Karen came to the rescue and fried up the fish beautifully. I hate to admit it, but her end product was better than had I fried the fish, it was delicious, thank you Karen!
With an efficient production line in operation, it wasn’t long before we were all sitting down to our fried fish, festival, fried ripe plantains and salad. Of course, Nick didn’t get off completely, and he was responsible for setting up and managing the bar, although to be frank it was light duties as far as I was concerned.
It was a wonderful evening and I really enjoyed seeing my father and brother engrossed in deep conversation as they caught-up with each other.
We were fortunate enough to have among us my sister Celia who brought along her friend Horace who is a professional photographer and while we had a merry time, he captured those beautiful moments of laughter and fun. Thanks to Horace for taking these gorgeous photos, which we will always treasure and you can see more of his beautiful photography at his Instagram page.
All too quickly the evening came to an end, and we were left with wonderful memories. The great thing is that we were entering a holiday weekend and my father was staying with us.
The next evening was New Year’s Eve and Nick and I had been invited to an African themed party hosted by some friends who have a gorgeous home in Norbrook Heights that has fabulous views across Kingston. Very graciously, they allowed us to bring my father and De Marley, so we could all ring in 2023 together.
We had a great evening and I loved seeing Dad having a wonderful time. The occasion was extra special, as I was able to enjoy the company of my best friend Elizabeth and her husband Andrew among others friends whom I’ve not seen in years.
First, my friend and local singer, Ellan Neil gave lovely renditions of classic ballads and standards before a group of drummers welcomed in the new year in traditional African style.
The food was amazing. The caterer had prepared a wide selection of delicious dishes from across Africa, and we all ate far too much. Our hosts had also laid on some fabulous entertainment.
As we entered 2023, we had the perfect view for all of the many fireworks shows in Kingston, including the official display at the harbour front, which gave us almost 30 minutes of delightful illuminations. My personal favourites were the paper Chinese lanterns, which drifted slowly upwards before suddenly disappearing.
We ended the evening by dancing to the DJ. De Marley was often the unofficial dance leader, showing others the latest moves and encouraging others of all ages to join him on the dance floor.
He was definitely the most popular person at the party. Except maybe for that one song when Nick demonstrated his one and only dancing skill, vigorously bouncing up and down, vaguely in time with the rapid beat of the music. It was a spectacle, if not spectacular.
We reached home at about 3am after a fantastic two days. How did you spend the New Year’s holidays? I’d love to hear how you celebrated the passing of 2022 and the start of 2023.
Author
Monique Abbott
Hi, I ’m Monique, founder and editor-in-chief of Yes2Yolo, travel addict, lover of home makeover projects among many other passions, including creative and inspirational writing to embolden us to live our best lives. At my core, I am a creative artistic being and I believe that creativity knows no end.
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I’ve explored over 60 countries with my husband Nick. Together we’ve partnered on some truly exciting projects such as creating and running a successful Airbnb business, chairing condo boards, purchasing fixer-uppers and renovating them from scratch on our own while balancing all of this with full-time jobs and family.
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While my personal passions are travel and home décor, I am, by profession, a lawyer with over 17 years experience.
Hi Monique,
What lovely photos! And wow….Andrew and I got featured on your blog too! Can you tell that we are smiling from ear to ear! Happy to have linked up with you albeit only briefly at a function that neither of us knew the other was attending. What a lovely surprise! It was especially nice seeing your Dad who I haven’t seen in some time. Of course kudos to our hosts for a fantastic function.
So happy that for both of us Christmas and the lead up to New Year’s Eve was a series of wonderful experiences shared over music, good food and with family and friends. What more could we ask for!
So here’s wishing you all the very best for 2023 in all aspects of your life! Cheers! #Yes2yolo
Lizzie, it was indeed a lovely surprise to see you & Andrew on New Year’s Eve and we were delighted to ring in the new year with you both. Not to mention my dad who was so very happy to see you again. Manley & Lorna certainly threw a fantastic party.
Here’ wishing you, Andrew and the family a bright, prosperous and happy new year! Hugs