Often one of the best parts of traveling is the food. And the Caribbean provides excellent opportunities to experience a wide variety of culinary cultures.
Thank to the long and varied history of the region, with connections to Spain, Africa and the American South, every island chain in the Caribbean represents its own unique cultural crossroads.
One of the benefits of this cross-pollination is fantastic food. Here are some tasty Caribbean foods you should not do without.
Jerk Chicken
Spicy “jerk” is a quintessential Caribbean food. The term jerk is said to come from the word charqui, a Spanish term for jerked or dried meat. Meat, fish or vegetables are rubbed with seasonings and then are slowly grilled over a wood fire. As a result, jerked foods take on a spicy-sweet flavor and tender texture that’s unmatched.
Here is a dish that combines Cajun-style shrimp with jerk chicken.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQoKkKxAgp5/
Pepperpot
Pepperpot is a spiced vegetable soup that is just hearty enough to be a meal. This stew has a distinctly Caribbean flavor thanks to a taste of coconut. Scotch bonnet peppers or 1 habanero pepper gives Pepperpot its name and its fiery taste.
Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice, or Arroz Con Pollo, is often called the official comfort food of the Caribbean. Popular in the Caribbean wherever Spanish influences remain strong, this simple dish is a savoury mix of flavors that include tomatoes, garlic and peppers and more. The dish is baked and smells absolutely delicious.
Crab Rice
Crab and rice is our own special treat here on Providenciales. The dish, which features the blue crab common to the Turks and Caicos, is a local comfort food and can be ordered in most restaurants on the island.
Conch Fritters
While conch fritters are said to be the characteristic food of the Turks and Caicos, this dish is said to be a relatively new arrival to the islands.
The Caribbean Queen conch is the native mollusk and number one export for the Turks & Caicos Islands. It’s said that each of the islands in Turks and Caicos produces its own unique flavour of conch meat.
CONCH KNOCKING Conch (pronounced ‘konk’) is a common name for certain large marine snails..they are gastropod mollusk. Conch is a local delicacy from which many dishes such as Crack Conch, Conch Chowder, Conch Fritters, Stew Conch, Conch & Rice etc are made. #island360 #turksandcaicos #caribbean #turksandcaicosislands #tcifood #tciculture #tcifoodporn #turksislander #caribbeanfood A video posted by TURKS & CAICOS FOOD & CULTURE (@tcifoodandculture) on
Fried Fish
Fried fish is also a new addition to the cuisine of Turks and Caicos, but it has grown to become a cornerstone of community life in Providenciales.
Every week Provo hosts the Thursday Night Fish Fry near the Bight Park.
Island Fish Fry – Thurs nights at Bight Park #Providenciales is a MUST DO on #TurkandCaicos http://t.co/Bl16cgnLOt pic.twitter.com/HfBNf8Q8l3
— Grace Bay Cottages (@TurksCottages) September 11, 2014
It’s a great way to taste local cuisine and also meet the local residents of Providenciales. Conch Festival The Conch Festival is held on the last weekend of November every year in Turks and Caicos.
This event kicks off the Christmas season on Providenciales. It’s a lot of great food and fun for the whole family.
What’s Your Favorite Food When You Visit Us?
Do you have a favorite food or place to eat when you visit Turks and Caicos? If you do, let us know in the comments.
As well, if you want to get an in-depth look at the cuisine of Turks of Caicos, be sure to check out the @TCIFoodandCulture Instagram feed. The photos are mouth-watering and verge on “food porn.”
