Some of these items that contain certain harmful substances - like rhubarb - are not commonplace in our cuisine, but looking through the lists of foods that need to be prepared with care or eaten in moderation, several Dominican staples appear.
We find it important to make clear that there is very little chance of actual danger to our health in many of these cases.
Beans
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The first, and perhaps, best known, is beans. The toxins it contains are called lectins, which can give you stomach pain and vomiting. Dried beans must be soaked overnight (for at least twelve hours) and then boiled. Once they come to a boil, keep the heat on high for the first ten minutes so that they boil vigorously. Then turn down the heat and simmer till soft. Beans from a can have gone through this process and are OK to eat.
Fava beans, also used in Dominican cooking, can lead to an enzyme deficiency disease called “favism” in people with a genetic predisposition to this condition. Favism is most commonly found in the Mediterranean region, especially in people from Sardinia.
Cassava
Cassava (yuca), a Caribbean favorite, contains some cyanide, a well-known deadly poison, as do almonds and kernels of fruits such as apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, soursop, apples, and pears. If you are a fan of spy stories and murder mysteries, you will know that cyanide is said to smell like almonds – now you know why.
Apparently, though, you have to eat vast amounts of any of these things to get any effect, so if you were harboring any murderous intentions, don’t bother to try inflicting “death by yuca”.
Green potatoes and tomatoes
Beware of green potatoes! The toxin in question here is solanine, a “glycoalkaloid”, a name worthy of a scaly-backed alien. Keep your potatoes in a dark, cool, and dry place, as light exposure heightens the glycoalkaloid levels. Avoid using green potatoes or the green parts of a potato, and don't eat green crisps (potato chips)!
Both green potatoes and green tomatoes contain this toxin, so it's best not to consume raw green tomatoes.
In addition, green tomatoes and their leaves contain tomatine, another toxic substance. Dogs are more sensitive to these toxins than humans, so keep it in mind.
Seafood
Seafood, too, has its risks. Those who like to live dangerously take their lives in their hands and sample the Japanese “fugu” (blowfish or puffer fish), whose liver contains a fatal poison. Apparently, the risk factor is part of the attraction. It takes all sorts.
In the Caribbean waters, we find fish that could potentially carry ciguatera. This substance is very toxic for humans and is accumulated by the fish when they consume certain algae. Unlike deep sea fish, it is most commonly found in fish that feed in reef areas. It is said that people should avoid eating fish during the hottest months of the year.
Other precautions include cleaning the fish as soon as it is caught or purchased, never eating the heads, guts, or eggs of any reef fish such as shark or eel, and avoiding fish in areas where ciguatoxic algae are known to exist. Cooking, drying, salting or freezing the fish will not destroy the toxins.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is well known to have hallucinogenic properties. Still, again, the amount necessary to produce any mind-altering result is physically impossible to consume, making it impractical as a popular recreational drug. Let’s face it: you’re never likely to be accosted by a stranger on a city street hissing, “Hey you! Wanna buy some ‘meg?”
Toxic to dogs
While researching this article, you may like to know that I came across a couple of warnings about dangers to domestic animals from everyday foods such as chocolate. It is dangerous to feed your dog chocolate: a relatively small amount can have a poisonous effect.
Also, don’t make a habit of providing your dog food containing onions, as this apparently can cause anemia.
Written by Ilana Benady for Dominican Cooking
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