[Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; 09º 26' S/159º 57' E]

We met Gary and Cindy of Distant Shores while in Honiara for the Festival of Pacific Arts.  We saw them again the following week at the first annual Roderick Bay Hideaway Yacht Festival in the Florida Group of islands.  The Roderick Bay festival, organized and executed by John and Lillian Ruka and their extended family, drew 8 boats and about probably two hundred islanders from around the Nggela (pronounced "GAY la") and Sandfly islands.  We were all treated like royalty and had much fun as we immersed ourselves in the culture of the Nggela people.  Later, back in Honiara, participating boats gathered on Fifth Season to share photos.  Gary and Cindy brought this cake as their offering to our own gala gathering.  This is a cake of substance, vibrant taste and is sure to please.

Preheat oven to 350 F

Grease and flour two loaf pans or 1one 9 x 11" sheet cake pan.

Cake:

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

≤ 2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cup oil

≤ 4 eggs

2 cups finely grated carrots

8 1/2 oz. can of crushed pineapple, drained

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Method:

Mix together dry ingredients: flour, soda, powder, cinnamon, salt.  In a separate bowl, mix sugar and oil and eggs and beat creamy.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix well.   Fold in carrots, pineapple and nuts.  Turn into pans and bake 35-40 minutes (or longer depending on your oven) until a toothpick that's been inserted in the center comes back out clean.

Frosting

1/2 cup butter

8 oz cream cheese

1 lb. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream together all ingredients and spread on cooled carrot cake.

Feeds a crowd.