by Cicely Richard

Created on: February 07, 2009   Last Updated: February 13, 2009

Foods define all cultures existence because of the unique ingredients located in the region and recipes the people create. The Caribbean is no different; therefore, there are a number of foods typically only eaten in the Caribbean. These foods stem from their African, European and Native backgrounds. The following lists some of their original foods.

Ackee and Saltfish is a dish typically eaten in Jamaica. The basic ingredients in this unique dish include salted codfish, ackee, tomatoes, and a number of other spices. The fish is soaked in cold water overnight. The next day the fish is cut into small pieces, mixed with the seasoning, and cooked in a sauce pan. Once it is cooked, it is often served with yams, green bananas, fried dumplings and Irish potatoes.

Roti is a type of bread made in a number of cultures; however, the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have made it their own. The bread consists of flour, baking powder, salt, butter and water. Once the flour is needed and rolled, resembles flatbreads like tortillas. Although this is a basic ingredient list, different areas of the West Indies have made them unique to their culture. It can be eaten with bean and soup dishes.

Fish tea is another food typically only eaten in the Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica. It is a light soup or broth. The recipe includes fish heads or bony fish, green bananas, tomatoes, scotch bonnet pepper and other seasonings. The fish is reduced in a pot, making a stock. After being boiled the skin is removed from the fish and returned to the stock with the other ingredients. When all of the ingredients have been cooked down, the broth is served. Depending on how thick or thin people want their fish tea, they can add or subtract water.

Bammy is a simple flatbread, similar to a pancake. It is made of sweet cassava and salt. After most of the liquid has been removed from the cassava, the salt is added. It is then placed in a frying pan and pressed with the bottom of a glass. Once one side is cooked, it is flipped over and cooked. It often is eaten along with fried foods.

Sweet potato pudding is a dessert treat served in Jamaica. Of course, the main ingredient is sweet potatoes. Other ingredients include cooking apples, coconut milk, raisins, vanilla essence, nutmeg, sugar. The topping is made with coconut milk, raisins and sugar. When the sweet potatoes are peeled and grated, it is mixed with the other ingredients and mixed until runny. The concoction is then baked on a buttered pan at a low temperature for approximately an hour. Afterward, the top has to be scraped and the topping added. It is then baked for another 30 minutes.

These are just a few foods typically only eaten in the Caribbean. Complete recipes for the dished mentioned above can be found on-line at Caribbean Food Emporium and other cooking websites.

Learn more about this author, Cicely Richard.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.