Dove’s Dirt Oven Delights in Guayaguayare is the brainchild of Carolin and Sanjid Boodhu. In an interview on Food Nation, they share their inspirational story for starting Dove’s – essentially a desire to continue the legacy of Carolin’s parents who used a dirt oven their entire lives.
But the history of the dirt oven goes much further back. In the period after slavery was abolished, the dirt oven was an efficient and communal way to create a staple food for communities on the economic margins of society.
My drive from Mayaro to Dove’s was lined with coconut trees and gardens bursting with ferns and blooming hibiscus. The sound and smell of the sea were constant companions. And although the ovens were off, I could easily imagine the oven heated by burning wood, while the coals and ash are spread over the floor of the oven in preparation for the goodies. Customers can choose between white, wheat, molasses or garlic bread, coconut bake, drops or pizza. I opted for the pone and sweetbread, so delicious it could’ve come out of my own mother’s oven.
But the history of the dirt oven goes much further back. In the period after slavery was abolished, the dirt oven was an efficient and communal way to create a staple food for communities on the economic margins of society.
You can often hear Trinbagonians complaining that – times change but things don’t change.
In the case of the dirt oven, I say, thank goodness.
Visit Dove’s Dirt Oven Delights at Food Crop Road Ext, La Brea Village, Guayaguayare. Phone +1 (868)-391-1156.
