I looked at my shopping cart and checked my list to ensure that I picked up what I needed – 10 cans sardines, 8 cans tuna, 6 cans corned beef, 4 cans baked beans, 4 cans cured pork… You see, it’s hurricane season and I am stocking up and replenishing a few things.
During the time I grew up in Guyana, canned food was a treat. It was never on our grocery list and most of the times when we got any was because my mother, some relative or friend had travelled overseas and brought back a few with them. Whenever it was cooked, we got excited because it was such a rarity. It would be sardines and roti or with bread made into sandwiches. Corned beef was cooked with potatoes sliced thinly along with lots of onions, tomatoes and hot pepper. The only accompaniment needed was hot fluffy white rice. Canned meats like Spam and ham were chopped into bits and cooked with eggs for breakfast or dinner, either with bakes or bread. There was also tuna, mackerel and salmon. Oh my, how can I forget a childhood favourite – Vienna sausages! Such cherished items – canned food.