The best part of traveling to a foreign land is experiencing the culture. Hearing the music, meeting the people and, of course, eating the food! It’s amazing how each new destination can present so many unique opportunities to taste brand new flavors, and the traditional food of the Bahamas Islands is certainly no exception.
You’re likely planning to visit the Bahamas to play in the crystal clear waters and worship the sun. But, don’t think for a minute that the native Bahamian cuisine doesn’t also deserve some of your attention. Traditional fare gets the limelight it so deserves at many restaurants throughout the Bahamas islands.
Many native dishes use seafood as the main ingredient, naturally abundant and caught fresh off shore. Local chefs prepare the seafood with local ingredients to create a symphony of tastes and styles. Prepare your palate for some truly unique species and ingredients, as Bahamian chefs take pride in the fact that their creations are always delicious and anything but ordinary.
To call the flavors and ingredients of Bahamian cuisine “unique” is truly an understatement. Meat from the Conch mollusk is a staple here and is used whenever possible, in conch salad, burgers, fritters and chowder. Traditionally served on a knife or skewer, the exotic scorched conch is a delicacy in the Bahamas. The meat is washed with seawater and lime juice and rubbed with hot pepper and served raw with slices of fresh tomato and onion.
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If you are planning a vacation in the Bahamas, be sure to try one of these local creations to complete your experience of the islands’ lifestyle and spirit:
Bahamian Souse
An appetizer sets the mood for any great meal. Bahamian Souse is a delicious soup made with meat, onions, water, lime juice, celery and peppers.
Breakfast Fish n’ Grits
You can’t start a day in the Bahamas without trying this local favorite. Fish is cooked with salt pork, onions and green peppers, and then served with grits.
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Fresh Fish Chowder
While fish chowder is a popular meal the world over, the Bahamas version has a little kick. Here, fish chowder is made with fresh grouper, tomatoes, lime juice and dark rum.
Conch Fritters, Chowder, Salad and Scorched Conch
It would be foolish (and nearly impossible) to leave the table without first sampling local conch. Bahamian chefs use this delectable meat in a variety of local specialties.
Curried Mutton and Raccoon Stew
While European mutton is strictly sheep, in the Bahamas curried mutton can be either sheep or goat. Raccoon stew is an exotic recipe that’s enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Bahamas Johnnycake
Unlike the Johnnycake served in the southern United States, the Bahamas version does not use corn meal. It is mildly sweet bread served as a side order, or as a dessert.
Sweet Guava Duff
This dessert specialty of the Bahamas is made with sieved guava pulp. The fruit pulp is served with butter, vanilla, rum and confectioners’ sugar made into a hard sauce.
Nassau Royal Liqueur
This liqueur, known as a local specialty, can be enjoyed alone or mixed with coffee.
Cheers to Kalik
Kalik is the national beer of the Bahamas. If beer is not your taste, try fruity, rum-based drinks such as the Goombay or the Bahama Mama.
Your Bahamian vacation just won’t be complete until you take a taste of the exotic native cuisine, so sample a few of these local specialties or, better yet, try them all! And, of course, always remember to tip your server!
Tagged with: bahamas • caribbean travel
Filed under: Bahamas