By Abigail Cattell
The countries of the Caribbean might be dotted closely together but their cuisines are worlds apart. Read on to discover where to go and what to taste.
Best for… Shellfish specialities
The Indian labourers who worked in Trinidad and Tobago
during the 19th century introduced curry dishes to the islands, which explains
why curried crab and dumplings is such a popular dish in Tobago. It's made from
the succulent local blue crab and is a must-try while holidaying here. But it's
not just crab they curry; the locals mix curry with pretty much anything, including
chicken, shrimp and potato. Discover some of these delicious dishes at the Tobago
Heritage Festival (13 July to 1 August) or the Blue Food Festival (21 October).
Work up an appetite: Explore the oldest protected rain forest
in the Western Hemisphere, Tobago's Main Ridge Forest Reserve, which is criss-crossed
with nature trails that allow you to explore the rich diversity of the flora
and fauna. Stay at the pristine Coco
Reef Resort and Spa.
Best for… Spicy dishes
While it's easy enough to find spicy dishes wherever you are in the Caribbean, Jamaica is the place to go for delicious, hot Jerk chicken. Jerk, describes the spicy marinade that meats are rubbed in and marinaded for a day or two, before being barbequed. There's even a Jerk Festival in Portland on 5 July where visitors are invited to sample jerk lobster, fish and chicken. This friendly festival is ideal for families with lively performances from local dance groups and artists, art and craft displays, a bouncy castle, merry-go-round and face painting.
Work up an appetite: UK Chef Gary Rhodes recently visited Jamaica
for TV show Rhodes across the Caribbean on UKTV Food, and enjoyed barbequed
jerk dishes at Scotchie's Shack on the coastal highway in Montego Bay. The
Royal Decameron Montego Beach hotel is close by.
Best for… Dining with the locals
St Lucia's
traditional Friday night party, 'Fish Fry' in the quaint fishing village of
Anse La Ray is popular with locals and tourists alike. Both come to enjoy the
friendly, informal atmosphere, live music and most importantly, the delicious
fresh fish and shellfish, cooked in lots of different ways at the different
vendor stalls that line the streets. Taste everything from simple fish fritters
to Creole-style red snapper, lobster, shrimp and conch as you bop away to the
relaxed tunes.
Work up an appetite:For a truly unique evening out, many hotels,
including luxurious Anse
Chastanet, offer a return boat trip to the party at Anse La Ray. The sky
is lit up with stars on the return journey.
Best for… Adventurous diners
The name goat water hardly conjures up an appealing image but this tasty stew,
often with dumplings, is an incredibly popular local delicacy. You'll find it
on the menu in restaurants and simple cafés all over Montserrat, St
Kitts and St Nevis. As well as goat (mutton), ingredients include green
paw paw, breadfruit, onions and spices to create a concoction that's full of
flavours. The restaurant at Rawlins
Plantation Inn gets plenty of plaudits for its excellent local cuisine;
there's a plethora of local restaurants on the seafront in Basseterre, or head
to Manhattan Gardens, in a pretty 17th century Creole cottage on Old Town Road.
Work up an appetite: Enjoy spectacular views on a hike around Mount Liamuiga, a dormant volcano in St Kitts's. Or stroll around Basseterre admiring the Creole and West Indian architecture.
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Abigail Cattell is a freelance travel journalist who has written for Wanderlust,
The Guardian, ASOS Magazine and TTG Luxury