RECIPE: Wampanoag Ital - Root Vegetable Stew

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Wampanoag Ital - A Root Vegetable Stew
Okay, when you're half West Indian and Half Wampanoag, you make jokes like this. One of the traditional Wampanoag dishes is a vegetable stew made with root vegetables. A traditional vegetable stew dish, primarily among Rastas in Jamaica is called "Ital".

 The Granola Eaters on the lower-cape call it "Root Vegetable Medley", I call it "Wampanoag Ital" or "Bad Hunter's Stew". This is a basic Day of Mourning comfort food for the season and very easy to make. First, your stock.

 The Stock:

  • 3/4 cup of minced scallions
  • 1/4 cup of minced, fresh sage
  • 1/4 cup mix of parsley, oregano and cilantro
  • 1/2 cup minced celery
  • dash of salt
  • dash of pepper
  • 1 gallon of water

Place contents in stock pot, bring to a boil until about 1/3 of the water is boiled away. Remove from heat and set aside.

 The Stew:

 Basically, it's a mix of your favorite root vegetables. Quantities are to taste and I personally avoid potatoes.

  • Carrots
  • Parsnips
  • Rutabaga
  • Onion
  • Yucca
  • Turnips
  • Wild Nuts

I also throw in a splotch of butter or coconut oil for infusion.

 Allow to simmer on low on the stove or in a crockpot for about 4 hours.