Limes

Not for nuttin' let's talk about Limes.

Here at ORYC the transients are all but gone, we're the hold outs and will be heading out shortly, as soon as Bonnie goes away. After two months its time to shake out the sails and try our hand at sea once again. Over the course of the last several weeks we've met a number of folks both at the resort and the marina. One of the nicest gestures has been those folks departing leaving us gifts. To be more specific we've been gifted tomato sauce, olive oil, fruit, eggs, laundry detergent, coffee, etc... ; on our budget these items are much appreciated. However, there is one particular item that everyone has gifted to us, limes.

Why is it that everyone buys limes but no one seems use them? Is there some universal imperitive that directs poeple in the tropics to buy limes and then because the lime is thought to be magical they never eat them?

Limes are a small citrus fruit, Citrus aurantifolia, whose skin and flesh are green in color and which have an oval or round shape with a diameter between one to two inches. Limes can either be sour or sweet, with the latter not readily available in the United States. Sour limes possess a greater sugar and citric acid content than lemons and feature an acidic and tart taste, while sweet limes lack citric acid content and are sweet in flavor. (Wikipedia).

What is the attraction of the lime? Are the limes in a grocery store the fruity equivalent of the lobster cleaning the inside of the restaurants fish tank, "Don't eat me, I just work here, but please take me home and release me."

Do limes have some telepathic ability allowing them to control us less developed fruits. Don't leave me here with the oranges and grapefruits, take me home and worship me by placing me in a bowl on the counter.

Is it that we all understand the lime to have mystical powers and we wish to be in their good favor by selecting them to go home with us?

In India, the lime is used in Tantra for removing evil spirits. It is also combined with Indian chilis to make a protective charm to repel the evil eye. Furthermore, it was believed that hanging limes over sick peoples cured them of the illness by repelling evil spirits lurking inside the body. (Wikipedia)

Could this be a Bahamian t'ing? Do all visitors to the Bahamas understand the connection of the lime to the British empire and therefore take a bunch home to recall the glory days of Brittania.

In order to prevent scurvy during the 19th century, British sailors were issued a daily allowance of citrus such as lemon, and later switched to lime, which was not as effective at preventing scurvy but led over time to the nickname "limey" for all Britons. (Wikipedia, I have to say here and now that I believe this internet thing is going to catch on).

Perhaps it's the limes apperance, after all green denotes balance, harmony, and stability. Green is life. Abundant in nature, green signifies growth, renewal, health, and environment. After making a trek across continents to land on the sandy white shores of the Bahamas do weary travellers need the soothing charms of GREEN. Remeber, its not easy being green. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpiIWMWWVco .

What to do with the lime? Perhaps there is some festive way to celebrate the lime, to include it in our daily rituals, like saluting the setting of the sun. Perhaps there is an opportunity here to use the natural goodness of the lime and avoid yet another prefab, preserved concoction marketed to the masses, perhaps using the lime and its natural juices can put us in touch with our inner self, perhaps there is a limey recipe for greatness.

1 oz Gold Tequila, 0.5 oz Silver Tequila, 0.5 oz Triple Sec, 0.5 oz Orange Curacao, 0.5 oz Fresh Lime juice and 2 Lime Wedges. Rim margarita glass with salt. Combine ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Squeeze limes and add to shaker. Shake vigorously and pour into a margarita glass.

Now we just need folks to leave us some salt; SALT, SALT, SALT!

TS Bonnie has passed us by and is now atop lower Florida. She has left us with gusty winds and a full day of rain both of which are keeping us tucked away down below. Our staying on board where it's cozy and dry is due soley to the passing of the storm and has nothing to do with having spent last night at Junkanoo. Perhaps we will hang up some limes to cure us of the hang over illness by repelling the evil spirits lurking inside our bodies.