Keshi yena

Description

Keshi yena is a traditional dish born in the midst of the slave trade in the 17th and the 18th century, coming from the Caribbean islands of Curaçao and Aruba. The dish is served either steamed or baked, and consists of a large portion of cheese that is hollowed out and stuffed with spiced meat (usually chicken). It was invented by the slaves of this former Dutch colony. As the Dutch masters traditionally consumed Gouda or Edam cheese from the center, hollowing it out until only the waxed rind remained, it found its way to the slaves' kitchens. The slaves would fill the center of the cheese with leftover meat and vegetables, and baked it until the cheese melted. Keshi yena was created as a result, its name springing from the Dutch word kase , meaning cheese . Today, raisins, capers, olives, and Scotch bonnet peppers can be added to the stuffing in order to enhance the already delicious flavors of the dish.