Caribbean cuisine facts for kids

Mangu with veggie meat

Caribbean cuisine is a mix of many different food traditions. These include cooking styles from West Africa, Creole areas, Cajun country, and Native American groups. You'll also find influences from Europe, Latin America, India, the Middle East, and China.

These cooking traditions came to the Caribbean from many different countries. Over time, people living in the Caribbean created their own unique dishes.

History of Caribbean Food

Caribbean food is a blend of flavors from many cultures. These include West African, Native American, East Asian, Arab, South Asian, and British cooking styles.

In 1493, during the voyages of Christopher Columbus, Spanish explorers brought new ingredients. These included coconuts, chickpeas, cilantro, eggplants, onions, and garlic. These ingredients quickly became important in Caribbean cooking.

Popular Caribbean Dishes

Dhalpurie roti, pumpkin tarkari, channa and aloo, and curry goat, from Trinidad and Tobago

Many ingredients are common across most Caribbean islands. These include rice, plantains, beans, cassava, cilantro, bell peppers, chickpeas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and coconut. People also use local meats like beef, chicken, pork, or fish.

A special seasoning for the region is called sofrito. It is a green marinade made from herbs and oil. This seasoning gives Caribbean food its unique flavor. It often includes garlic, onions, scotch bonnet peppers, celery, green onions, and herbs. Some common herbs are cilantro, Mexican mint, chives, marjoram, rosemary, tarragon, and thyme. This green seasoning is used in many dishes, like curries, stews, and roasted meats.

Traditional dishes are very important to the culture of the region. For example, the local version of Caribbean goat stew is the official national dish of Montserrat. It is also a signature dish of St. Kitts and Nevis. Another popular dish in the English-speaking Caribbean is "cook-up" or pelau. Ackee and saltfish is a popular dish unique to Jamaica. Callaloo is a dish with leafy vegetables like spinach and sometimes okra. It is found widely in the Caribbean and shows a mix of African and native influences.

Desserts in the Caribbean also show the many different origins of the recipes. In some areas, black cake is served. This cake is similar to English Christmas pudding. It is often eaten on special occasions.

Caribbean Food by Location

See also

In Spanish: Gastronomía del Caribe para niños