The butterfly-shaped island of Guadeloupe is one of my favorite spots in the Caribbean region.

I have always loved its intriguing mixture of French culture filtered through the Caribbean and Africa.

For many years I used to journey there annually for the Fete des Cuinsinieres in August.

a hand squeezing a pastry bag with deviled egg filling

Photo: Shanna Jones

I would always stay with my friend, Maryse Pochot, in Pointe-a-Pitre, the capital.

Then, we’d head back to Maryse’s home on a hill overlooking the town.

And I’d head to my bedroom to add yet another set of things to my invariably overloaded luggage.

Deviled Eggs with Crabmeat

Shanna Jones

(It is better for your stomach to burst than to waste good food!)