What do places like Guam, Jamaica and Japan have in
common? Despite their size, all these
places are islands of the world we live in. Today’s discovery was a fusion of all three
islands combined. Guam may not
take the entire credit for some of the ingredients combined, but it certainly has
invoked a kind of culture surrounding the ingredient.
One night while I was with friends having a typical get together, I brought with me some ingredients in making Futomaki (Maki in short) rolls. This roll is your common sushi roll, vinegar seasoned white rice wrapped with roasted seaweed sheets. My typical futomaki roll consists of pickled daikon, (or daigo as we call it on Guam) Pickled ginger (Shoga) Cucumber, Spam and Egg scramble. While waiting for the barbecue to finish off the grill, I took the opportunity to make some sushi rolls for appetizers.
On Guam, unless instructed not to bring anything, we bring it upon ourselves a great deal of shame if we don’t bring something to the party. Even bringing paper products or ice to cool our drinks is greatly welcomed. Unfortunately, while making sushi I ran out of rice. Interestingly, one of our friends decided to stop by a popular restaurant here that sold Jamaican fusion barbecue and bought a catered order of Jamaican Rice. Feeling the need to make more appetizer, another friend of mine looked at me and insisted I try using the Jamaican Rice in my Maki roll and substitute it for the vinegar seasoned white rice typically used. Despite the fear of creating something monstrous, the leap was well worth it. These were some delicious appetizers that from now on, I shall never look at Jamaican rice the same way ever again.
The taste was savory. Flavors of soy sauce and the pickled ingredients balanced well with the cucumbers. Thank goodness for the islands.
Here are some links that show how you can make your very own Jamaican Rice and how to roll Maki Rolls. The video chosen for Maki Rolls happens to be a special recipe from Chef. However, ingredients for maki rolls are dependent on what the sushi maker decides. In this picture, I am lacking other ingredients. Regardless, what you see was just as delicious.
