GREAT CARIBBEAN FOOD!

Are you a foodie?  Foodies generally love and appreciate good food.  They also love the search for new cuisines and restaurants.  It is a serious endeavor that involves much more than just enjoying food.  Caribbean food is great tasting, often multicultural with many dishes  passed  from one generation to the next. While foodies love the Caribbean, anybody will love the cuisine these countries are known for.  Let’s take a look at three locations that satisfy.

Bahamas – The Bahamas are an enormously popular destination for Americans.  They are close and they are beautiful. They also have wonderful cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.  Conch is a staple in Bahamian cooking and is prepared in numerous ways.  One of the most popular dishes is cracked conch.  The cook prepares it by pounding it until tender. It  is generally served with a tangy sauce.  Another well-loved Bahamian meal is conch salad.  In this dish, the raw conch is served with tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, and green pepper and topped with a citrus sauce.  It is similar to ceviche and is savored by both natives and tourists.  

Dominican Republic – The national dish of theDominican Republic has to be “La Bandera Dominicana”  It is made with either chicken or beef, rice and red beans. Although there are many variations, all are generally served with a green salad, avocado, and plantain slices on the side. Looking to satisfy a sweet tooth?  Sample the rich Dominican cake- it will not leave you hungry!  It is similar to sponge cake and is frequently filled with pineapple jam or dulce de leche.

Aruba – Aruba has a rich and varied cultural heritage which includes Dutch, African, and indigenous influences.  Kesh Yena is a dish that combines all three into one sumptuous meal.  It uses the outer rind of edam or gouda cheese, and is stuffed with spiced meat, tomatoes and green olives.  Bake it or steam it, it is great either way!  If you are looking for a traditional breakfast food try pastechi- a flaky pastry filled with meats and vegetables.  It is just the right size to be carried by hand and makes a wonderful on-the-go meal!

There are many more countries in the Caribbean, and while food can be similar throughout the area, each location has something special and unique.  The next time you are in the Caribbean, sample the food – it will not disappoint you!