Bermuda fish chowder facts for kids
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Type | Soup |
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Place of origin | Bermuda |
Serving temperature | Hot |
Main ingredients | fish, stock, tomato purée |
Bermuda fish chowder is a yummy soup and is considered the national dish of Bermuda, a beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean. It's a special kind of soup, different from many others because it's lighter and not creamy. The main ingredients are fish, tomatoes, and onions. What makes it extra special are the unique seasonings: a dark rum and a special "sherry peppers sauce."
Contents
What is Bermuda Fish Chowder?
Bermuda fish chowder is a type of soup that is very important to the island of Bermuda. It's known for its rich flavor and unique ingredients. Unlike some other chowders that are thick and creamy, this one is lighter, almost like a bouillabaisse (another type of fish soup).
Main Ingredients
The basic ingredients for Bermuda fish chowder are simple but tasty:
- Fish stock (a flavorful liquid made from simmering fish bones)
- Fish fillets (pieces of fish meat)
- Tomato purée (a thick sauce made from tomatoes)
Many recipes also add fresh vegetables like onions, celery, and carrots. Herbs and spices are also used to give the soup its special taste.
Different Ways to Make It
There are many ways to make Bermuda fish chowder, and each family might have its own secret recipe! Some recipes add diced pork hocks (a part of a pig's leg) for extra flavor. Others use different types of white fish like cod, grouper, tilefish, or snapper. You can even use rock fish or sea bass.
No matter the variation, the soup always has a lighter texture compared to creamy chowders.
Special Seasonings
What truly makes Bermuda fish chowder unique are its traditional seasonings:
- Black rum
- Sherry peppers sauce
Sherry Peppers Sauce
Sherry peppers sauce is a special hot sauce made right in Bermuda. It's created by marinating pimento peppers in sherry wine and other spices. One very famous brand is Outerbridge's Original Sherry Peppers Sauce. Many people say that true Bermuda fish chowder just isn't complete without this sauce!
Black Rum
The traditional rum used to flavor the soup is Black Seal Rum. This rum is made by a Bermudan company called Gosling Brothers. It adds a deep, rich flavor to the chowder. Don't worry, the alcohol cooks out, leaving just the delicious taste!
A Bit of History
The recipe for Bermuda fish chowder is quite old! It's believed that the soup was first created by British settlers who came to Bermuda in the 1600s.
The idea of using sherry peppers sauce also comes from this time. Back then, sailors used a similar "peppers wine" to make food that was starting to go bad taste better. It was a clever way to make sure their meals were still enjoyable during long sea voyages. This tradition evolved into the sherry peppers sauce we know today.