The charm and charisma of the Caribbean are just irresistible. If you have never been there, the surreal beauty of its islands will call to you and if you have already been there, you can’t resist visiting this heavenly place on earth again. It’s not just the tourism of the Caribbean Islands that wins the hearts of people every time but there is something else too that never fails to impress its visitors.

No idea what are we talking about? Well, we are talking about the remarkably delicious dishes of the Caribbean islands that are indigenous to these islands. Today, we will introduce you to the 5 lip-smacking dishes of the Caribbean Islands. So, go ahead and give your taste buds a treat with these Caribbean dishes.

Dishes of the Caribbean Islands

  1. Croix: Fish & Fungi (Dish name)

When you are on the panoramic island of St Croix, don’t forget to savor the taste of Fish and Fungi. Popular as the main staple among the local people, this dish is a favorite of everyone there. The dish dates back its history to Danish rule.

You mainly need salted cornmeal to prepare this dish. Just mix the salted cornmeal with shortening and water and make polenta-like dumplings from it. Since the dish is often served with fish, it is named Fish and Fungi.

It won’t be wrong to say that Fish and Fungi is the Caribbean version of polenta. The crispy and spicy fish makes a perfect combination with nutty and mellow fungi. No wonder why it is one of the most loved dishes of the Caribbean Islands.

Ingredients required to prepare Fish and Fungi

  • Vegetable oil
  • Diced onion
  • Diced bell pepper
  • Minced garlic
  • Habanero
  • White vinegar
  • Tomato paste
  • Butter
  • Cornmeal
  • Boneless red snapper fillets
  • Lime juice
  1. Antigua: Fungee & Pepperpot (Dish name)

Fungee or Fungi and Pepperpot is one of the most popular dishes of the Caribbean islands because it is the national dish of Antigua. You can definitely find this dish anywhere in the world but the version of Antigua is unlike the rest. The polenta-like taste of Fungi gets 100 times more enjoyable with spicy and thick Pepperpot stew.

You can call this flavorful dish Antigua’s version of Irish bankers and mash. So, don’t forget to enjoy this fantastic dish along the breezy and soothing shoreline of Antigua.

The interesting thing about this remarkably flavourful dish is that it is not only wonderful in taste but also super easy to prepare. You just need to make dumplings of cornmeal and a thick stew of mixed veggies.

Ingredients required to make Fungi and Pepperpot

  • Beef brisket
  • Vegetable oil
  • Garlic and onion
  • Eggplant
  • Tomato paste
  • Habanero Pepper
  • Baby spinach
  • Cornmeal
  • Butternut square
  • Green split peas
  • Baby lima beans
  1. Jamaica: Ackee and Saltfish ( Dish name)

Your meal can never be completed without reveling in the mind-blowing flavor of Ackee and Saltfish. It is not a new dish in Jamaica. In fact, it has been there since colonial times. The dish was actually introduced to Jamaicans by enslaved West Africans. They used to eat their ackee fruit with Jamaican fish. Gradually, this combined meal gained popularity on the island and today it is the national dish of Jamaica.

Not just in Jamaica, but the dish is popular in the whole Caribbean. In fact, it is one of the must-try dishes of the Caribbean Islands. To prepare this dish, boiled ackee is sauteed with salt cod along with a number of spices. Finally, it is garnished with tomato paste and bacon. You can enjoy this dish in your breakfast.

Ingredients required to prepare Ackee and Saltfish

  • Canned Ackee
  • Saltfish
  • Cooking oil
  • Small tomato, diced
  • Sweet bell pepper
  • 2 Sprig thyme
  • Stalk scallions, chopped
  • Onions, sliced
  • Scotch bonnet pepper seeds
  • Black pepper
  1. Anguilla: Pigeon Peas and Rice ( Dish name)

When it’s about the most flavorful dishes of the Caribbean islands,  Anguillan Pigeon Peas and rice will definitely make a place on the list. Among hundreds of luscious dishes on the island, Pigeon Peas and Rice is loved the most. No wonder why it is tagged as the national dish of Anguilla. The interesting thing about this dish is that you need only a handful of ingredients just in case you are willing to prepare it at your home.

To prepare this dish pigeon peas are cooked with rice and meat and made into a single dish. Obviously, it is further flavored with an amalgamation of herbs and spices. You can enjoy this sumptuous dish as a meal or side dish.

Ingredients required to prepare Pigeon Peas and Rice

  • Rice
  • Coconut milk
  • Water
  • Pigeon peas
  • Onion
  • Garlic and Ginger
  • A mix of spices
  • A number of herbs
  • Thyme
  • Salt
  • Scotch bonnet pepper
  1. St Lucia: Green Figs and Saltfish (Dish name)

When you are in St Lucia to explore the island, don’t restrict yourself just to the sparkling beaches, verdant rainforest, and vivid wildlife. Go a step ahead and enjoy the different dishes of the island. Here, you will have endless options but Green Figs and Saltfish is a must-try one. This signature meal of the island is made with boiled unripe bananas, flaked cod, various aromatic herbs, and, of course, a blend of fragrant spices.

This particular dish is so popular and widely loved in St Lucia that it is called the national dish of the island. The hearty dish is not just flavourful but also wholesome. This staple food is the favorite of everyone among locals and will definitely please you too to the core. If you are planning to make this dish at home, there is good news. You don’t need plenty of ingredients to prepare the dish.

Ingredients required to prepare Green Figs and Saltfish

  • Green bananas
  • Salted cod
  • Onion, thinly sliced
  • Garlic, chopped
  • Pickled peppers, thinly sliced
  • Cabbage, shredded
  • Tomatoes, diced
  • Sprigs thyme, chopped
  • Chopped parsley
  • Vegetable oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Conclusion 

The list of flavourful dishes of the Caribbean islands goes endless. Each Island has its own dish and it is loved by not just the locals but international people. So, when you visit any of the above-mentioned islands, make sure to relish their signature dishes. Else, your trip will definitely not be complete.

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