For the biggest celebration of the year, our island virtually shuts down for two days when rival cricket teams from Somerset and St. George’s vie for the big silver cup. The first day of Cup Match commemorates the emancipation of Bermuda’s slaves on August 1, 1834. The second day, Somers Day, honours British Admiral Sir George Somers, who settled and colonised the island after his vessel, Sea Venture, was shipwrecked off St. George’s in 1609. This holiday is all about food and fun. Picnics take place everywhere and anywhere: in makeshift camps, boat raft-ups, backyards and hammocks in the shade.
Menu
Lemon-Garlic Baked Chicken
Grilled Marinated Flank Steak
Potato Salad
Grilled Seasonal Vegetables and Vinaigrette
Somerset or St. George’s Fruit Salad
Somerset or St. George’s Fruit Salad – Serves 8
West End Salad
½ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
4 lbs. Bermuda watermelon, rind and seeds removed
1 cup blueberries
8 mint leaves
East End Salad
½ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
6 cups blueberries
2 Bermuda bananas, sliced horizontally
8 mint leaves
Preheat oven to 350°. Spread coconut on baking sheet, toast until golden—about 5 minutes—and cool. Carefully combine respective team salads in separate transportable bowls with tightly fitting lids. Keep chilled until just before serving. Sprinkle with toasted coconut and spoon onto small plates. Garnish with mint leaves.
If your guests support opposite teams, do not even think of mixing the two salads.
