 |
April 1941. Photographed by Reginald Hotchkiss
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division [LC-USF34-014482-D].
|
After slavery was abolished in Maryland in 1864, most former slaves did not have many employment options outside of farming or other laborious work that required little or no skills. Many turned to the seafood industry as a way of earning a living. In 1864, 40% of all watermen on the Chesapeake Bay, were ex-slaves. As a result, seafood such as oysters, crabs and fish became main staples in African American households and a part of their soul food tradition.
9 ounces Glutino Gluten Free Penne
Pasta
9 ounces large shrimp (deveined)
2 large SeaBear Wild Salmon fillets, skinned and into
½ inch squares
2 pounds crab meat
3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 scallions, sliced thin
2 red chili peppers, de-seeded and cut
into small strips
12 cherry tomatoes
10 ounces coconut milk
2 lemons, juice only (some pulp)
Salt and pepper
2 slices Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Bread
(crumbed)
In a large pot, add water and salt then bring to a boil over high heat.
Add one tablespoon of olive oil and pasta. (Cook pasta according to the instructions). When pasta is cooked, drain and set aside. Keep warm. In a wide pan, heat remaining oil then add scallions and chili peppers. Cook until scallions are soft.
In a medium sized bowl, add tomatoes and cover with boiling water. Leave for 1 minute then drain and cover with cold water.
Peel and quarter them, removing all tough stems. Place salmon fillets in the microwave for about 5 minutes or until partially cooked through.
As soon as the scallions are soft, add the quartered tomatoes, salmon, shrimp, crab meat and coconut milk.
Bring back to a simmer and cook gently for 3-4 minutes or until the salmon and shrimp are cooked through. Turn on the broiler. Remove the salmon and season with sea salt, black pepper and lemon juice; then mix it carefully into the pasta.
Turn the fish and pasta into a casserole dish and sprinkle over the bread crumbs.
Toast under a hot broiler until the crumbs are crisp. Serve immediately
sponsored by
