Piece of Cake

     Continuing in my study of the dietary habits of the residents of the Caribbean, my research vessel, the Carnival Conquest, pulled into Georgetown, Grand Cayman, the capitol of the Cayman Islands.  Prior to becoming a British Overseas Territory the Cayman Islands in the 17th Century were home to pirates, refugees from the Spanish Inquisition, shipwrecked sailors and deserters from Oliver Cromwell's army in Jamaica.  It was in 1670 that England took control of the 3 islands through the Treaty of Madrid.  Today they are a major offshore financial center and the islands have no income tax, capital gains tax or any wealth tax at all.

     It is interesting to note that the #1 export of the Caymans is something that has a connection to the islands' British heritage.  Tortuga rum cake is the modern day version of figgy pudding, a sweet treat of Shakespeare's day that was also alternately called Christmas pudding.  In a report on NPR's "All Things Considered" Dorie Greenspan described it this way, "It's sweet and fruity, spicy and boozy, sturdy, generous, filling, and in its own simple way, exotic."  It can be baked, steamed in the oven, boiled or fried and while called a pudding is actually more like a cake.  Dried fruit is soaked in rum for months, then added to dough that is prepared with sugar which has been caramelized by boiling in water.  While it is similar to fruitcake, it has a lighter texture.

     There are many versions of rum cake but the Tortuga brand is by far the most popular, and the most alcoholic with more than 5% grain alcohol in the mixture.  No wonder all of us were smiling after sampling some at the factory store!