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From the book "Condiments"
by Kathy Gunst
Sherry Peppers Sauce: Bermuda has long been
famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, idyllic scenery, and vacationing
honeymooners. But on the
island's few native products has recently gained an international
reputation.
Sherry peppers sauce is made by steeping hot chili peppers and spices in
casks of dry sherry. After
several months, the liquid is transformed into a spicy, hot pepper
sauce. Yeaton Outerbridge,
a native Bermudian, has been bottling sherry peppers sauce since 1964,
but the history of the sauce goes back many years.
According to Outerbridge: "Bermudians
first came to know sherry peppers back in the sailing vessel days of the
Royal Navy. After several
months at sea, the quality of the food aboard ship attained a degree of
ripeness that made a strongly flavoured seasoning a necessity.
An enterprising officer ashore in Bermuda saw the small native
"bird" pepper. This
was a particularly "hot" pepper which the officer thought
might be used to disguise the taste of the provisions aboard and make
them palatable. So he took
the peppers, steeped them in sherry and ...a new condiment was
born."
TASTING NOTES: Sherry peppers sauce can be used like a regular hot
pepper sauce, but the sherry gives it a very unique flavour. It's particularly good in soups and fish chowders, in sauces,
marinades and barbecue sauce. Sprinkle
it over fried eggs, fried tomatoes, and pan fried fish.
(See page 137 for a recipe for making your own homemade version
of sherry peppers sauce.)
BEST BRAND: Outerbridge's Original Sherry Peppers Sauce -
This is the most popular type of sherry peppers sauce sold in Bermuda.
Made from peppers and selected spices steeped in dry sherry for
several months, it's truly delicious.
Use sparingly; it's hot. |
