IRISH MOSS JAMAICAN STYLE

This jelly is of vegetable substances, made from seaweed, Graciliaria vellucosa.

1/2 lb (250g) fresh or 2oz (50g) dried Irish moss 1 tablespoon Jamaica white rum 1 cup (8 fl oz, 250ml) milk 10 cups (4 pints, 2.5 litres) water 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg Sugar Strawberry syrup If dried Irish moss is to be used, soak it for a few hours in water. Otherwise, clean the fresh moss of all other bits of seaweed and wash thoroughly to remove any sand and grit.Simmer the moss in the water until tender, then top up the water to the original level and bring to the boil. Strain the liquid through a muslin cloth or fine sieve. Add sugar to taste, and then add milk, nutmeg, and enough strawberry syrup to make it pink in colour. Transfer the liquid to a glass bowl and refrigerate until it has set. This jelly has a very delicate and subtle flavour.Irish moss is also made into a more liquid form and used as a drink.