It sure is an exciting experience when planning a Caribbean vacation. And you can be sure that the experience is sure to get even more exciting and thrilling once you hit those Caribbean islands. After all, you are entering the land with incredible history, perfect beaches, and amazing cuisine! Booking a trip to the Caribbean is easy, and all you need to do is look for the right option among Caribbean vacation rentals and look forward to exciting and fun-filled moments. Caribbean people are the world’s friendliest ones, and it would be a mistake to not to make some effort to sample some of its colorful flavors. Caribbean food is indeed a delight on the senses as the chefs here use only local and fresh ingredients.
Caribbean food, prepared from unique spices, fresh herbs, and fish is a delightful fusion of European, Cajun and African cuisine. As a first-timer, it helps to know about the food and cuisine in order to enjoy a perfect Caribbean getaway.
Caribbean Cuisine And Which Foods To Try!
The Six Food Groups In The Caribbean
Caribbean food groups include staples, cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, starchy fruits and food from animals. Staples include fruits, roots, and cereals while cereals comprise of macaroni, spaghetti, rice, wheat flour, corn, and bread. Starchy fruits include banana, plantain, yam, potato, cassava, dasheen, and breadfruit. Mango, guava, pineapple, papaya, plum, and apples are the popular fruits here. Vegetables include dasheen leaves, spinach, string beans, chayote, cucumber, carrot, pak choy, and pumpkin. Kidney beans, peanuts, dried peas, cow peas, nuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds form the legumes group. Meat, poultry, fish, cheese, yogurt, heart, kidney, milk and yogurt are the food from animals. Fat and oils group is made of butter, margarine, cooking and salad oils, shortening, ghee, meat fat, nuts and avocado pear.
What makes Caribbean food so special is that it is a combination of cuisine from different cultures and influenced by Indian, Chinese, African and European communities. The European colonialization, African slaves and further influx of Chinese and Indians have all left their food influences on the islands that have made Caribbean cuisine unique and special. Caribbean cooking uses local herbs, spices, vegetables, and meat to prepare steamed or roasted recipes. A very popular cooking method used in the Caribbean is barbecuing that is certainly a healthy alternative to frying. What makes Caribbean food creamy and delicious is the coconut milk that is advisable in light or low-fat versions. Caribbean cooking makes good use of beans and pulses that are commonly used in rice dishes, soups, and stews.
Which Caribbean Delicacies You Don’t Want To Miss
When on a Caribbean holiday, you will come across an endless choice of cuisines and options. However, there are some delicacies that should not be missed especially if you are here for the first time on a Caribbean holiday.
- Flying fish & Cou Cou
It will be a mistake if you go back without trying the national dish of Barbados, the Flying fish & Cou Cou. The Bajans are indeed proud of their national dish. Cou Cou is prepared by mixing okra and cornmeal with water and local spices to get a mash type paste. The flying fish steamed with light Bajan seasoning. - Jerk
If you are looking for a fiery flavor of Jamaica, then try the signature flavor of Jamaica with a fiery spice, Jerk. The cooking involves preparing dry or wet meat marinated with a hot spice mixture. - Pepperpot
The simple stew is prepared from okra, squash, aubergine, and potatoes that are cooked with meat. The tempting and hearty stew is served with cornmeal dumplings that give it a richer consistency. Don’t miss this tempting and hearty stew that is indeed a heart-warming and comforting dish. - Roti
Roti is a chewy pancake that is filled to the brim with tasty curry stew. The traditional snack to be made with flour and is indeed more tempting when compared to tortillas. Rotis are popular throughout the islands, especially when filled with chickpea curry and are even more popular in Trinidad and Tobago. - Plantain
Another fried snack not be missed is the Plantain that looks like a banana but doesn’t taste like one. This delicious staple is enjoyed all over the Caribbean and served as fried or cooked. Plantain is a delicious side or snack and much starchier than bananas. It makes for a perfect alongside any Caribbean as it carried a sweet flavor. - Breadfruit
Breadfruit is eaten throughout the Caribbean as a snack. The superfood is rich in Protein and makes for a great side served with fresh fish. It is usually boiled, roasted as it is too starchy and is a rich source of gluten-free carbohydrate and protein. - Rice and Peas
The simple & delicious dish is immensely popular among the locals and tourists all over the Caribbean. Simple and comforting, Rice ‘n’ peas are prepared by booing rice with coconut. The fluffy sweet texture of the recipe is best served with chicken. - Callaloo
The leafy green dish of Callaloo is often confused with the ingredient. Made from Callaloo, it is Caribbean’s version of pesto. It is boiled with peppers, okra, and onion and served as a side dish with meat or seafood. - Rum Punch
Rum Punch is a delicious cocktail and can really pack a punch for fun and parties. Enjoy tours of the distilleries and see how the cocktail gets prepared under the perfect conditions of the Caribbean that are right for the sugar cane industry.
Before you head off to your Caribbean vacation, be sure to read our article on 10 Ways To Keep Your House Safe While On Vacation so you can have peace of mind while you’re having fun!
