80.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesPotato Stuffing Recipe for Carter Clan

Potato Stuffing Recipe for Carter Clan

While spending the week vacationing on St. Croix, former President Jimmy Carter tried some Crucian style potato stuffing.

"It reminds me a bit of the sweet potato soufflé we have at home, but with a little spiciness to it," Carter said, expressing a hope he could get Virgin Islands first lady Cecile deJongh’s family recipe.

Just in case deJongh is hesitant to give up her culinary secret, here is one recipe for potato stuffing for the Carter family. This comes from "Native Recipes," the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension cookbook of traditional Virgin Islands cuisine.

Potato Stuffing

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds potatoes
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 1/2 stalk celery, minced (optional)
  • 1/4 medium sweet pepper, minced OR
  • 6 Puerto Rican sweet peppers
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons parsley
  • dash black pepper
  • 3-4 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 -1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 2 eggs

Peel potatoes, boil in salted water, drain and mash. While potatoes are boiling, warm frying pan and add oil and butter. (Pan should not be too hot or butter will scorch). When oil is heated add minced onion, celery and sweet pepper. Cook over low flame until tender. Add thyme, tomato sauce, parsley, black pepper and sugar. Cook about three minutes.

Add this mixture to mashed potatoes and mix thoroughly. Add milk, raisins and eggs. The mixture should be a little more moist than mashed potatoes. If not sufficiently moist, add a little more milk and butter. Pour in a greased flat baking pan of the type used for puddings and bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes to one hour. Top should be golden brown when done. Makes 12 servings.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.