What are the Top local dishes to try across the Caribbean Islands?

The Caribbean islands are in the Caribbean Ocean with over 7000 islands, cays and islets. The culture in Caribbean islands is a blend of African, European, Indigenous and Asian cultures. Caribbean islands are famous for sandy beaches, turquoise water, beautiful music, and festivals. Each island has a unique identity expressed via mouthwatering cuisine stemming from deep traditional and cultural roots. Let's take a look at what are the top local dishes to try across the Caribbean islands.

Ackee and Saltfish from Jamaica

A visit to Jamaica is incomplete without trying out the Ackee and Saltfish. This is also the national dish of Jamaica. Ackee is a creamy fruit cooked with salted cod, onions, pepper and spices to give that savoury touch. It is usually a breakfast staple that you can find in Jamaica. Most places offer Ackee and Salted fish with dumplings, fried plantains or festival bread. 

Flying fish and Cou-Cou from Barbados

The national dish of Barbados is a must-try if you are a seafood lover travelling to Caribbean islands. The flying fish is a native fish species in Barbados.  It is seasoned, fried or steamed and is served with Cou-Cou and an okra-based side dish. This is a comfort dish that is not available easily in other parts of the world.

Callaloo from Trinidad and Tobago

The dish originated in West Africa and was introduced to Jamaica, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago. Callaloo is a creamy dish made from taro, water spinach or Dashee leaves with coconut milk and spices. Fresh crab or salted meat is added to enhance the flavours. The rich flavours are an embodiment of the island.

Conch Fritters from the Bahamas

As you take InterCaribbean Airways to the Bahamas from Providenciales, the next dish you should be getting ready to try is Conch fritters. Conch is like a sea escargot. It can be eaten raw in salads, deep fried as fritters or in chowder and gumbos. It can be a meal on its own or an appetizer you eat while watching the sunset in the Bahamas.

Jerk Chicken from Jamaica

Another signature dish from Jamaica is the Jerk chicken. Jerk is a spicy dry or wet rub applied to chicken or other types of meats. After marinating the chicken with jerk, it is smoked or grilled. There are many variations of jerk chicken based on African, Portuguese and Latin American flavour profiles. This dish is found in other Caribbean islands as well.

Fish Fry from Turks and Caicos

This is an essential experience in Turks and Caicos. Freshly caught fish like groupers or snappers are seasoned and fried. Usually served with rice or Coleslaw. It is a delicious local meal that fills you up with the flavours of the sea.

Goat Stew from Montserrat

Goat stew or Goat water also called kiddy stew is a national cuisine of Montserrat. The original dish is called Irish Stew in Ireland. But the locals in Montserrat added their spin to it and reinvented the dish. It is made of goat meat, onions, herbs and spices. It is cooked in a special pot over a wood fire as the smoke from the wood also adds to the flavour.  Goat stew is best tried with rice or bread.  Another mouth-watering dish found at Montserrat is Duckna. It is a sweet potato-based dish made with coconut and spices. It is then wrapped with banana leaves or Chainy Bush.

Pepperpot from Guyana

This is a stew made of aubergine, okra, squash, potatoes or any other vegetable that grows on the island. Beef is commonly added to the stew and served with fungi, a tasty cornmeal dumpling. This signature dish from Guyana is simmered in cassareep, a cassava-based sauce to enhance the taste. This is traditionally served during Christmas. It is a dish of celebration.

Black Cake is a Caribbean-wide Dish

To balance the heat of food in Caribbean islands you must try the black cake served pretty much everywhere in Caribbean islands. Airlines in the Caribbean also sometimes serve this dish. It is a dense cake made with moist fruitcake soaked in rum. The dried fruit, spices and rum balance the sweetness of the dish. It is a dessert that shows the vibrant nature of the Caribbean Islands.