One of the best things about travelling is being able to experience different people, lifestyles, cultures and food!
So what better way to experience a tropical island than through the love of food? Here are 5 of the most delicious (and not to mention some of the cheapest) foods that you’ll find on the face of the island.
1. Fish Cakes
There is nothing quite like some freshly fried fish cakes right out of the pot!
These mouth-watering balls made with codfish or even whitefish, flour and other seasonings, are at their best when they are moist and steaming hot. At 75 cents BBDs per ball, it really doesn’t get any better/cheaper than that. The only thing you could possibly add is an ice cold beer or mauby to wash it down!
Where Can I Find It?
Due to the fact that it is such a popular Barbadian delicacy, they can be found as an appetiser at some fine dining restaurants. Or, they can also be found at the well-known food stall ‘Hot Legendary Fish Cakes’ which has multiple locations scattered across the island:
Oistins, Christ Church, Barbados
– Monday – Sunday – 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Magazine Lane, Bridgetown, St.Michael, Barbados
– Monday – Friday – 6:00am – 5:00pm
Hindsbury Road, St.Michael, Barbados
– Monday – Friday – 6:30am – 12:30pm
Speightstown, St.Peter, Barbados
– Monday – Friday – 6:30am – 12:30pm
Eagle Hall, St.Michael, Barbados
– Monday – Friday – 6:30am – 12:30pm
Harbour Road, St.Michael, Barbados
– Monday – Friday – 6:30am – 12:30pm
For further information, call 427-2502 or email hlfcakes@caribsurf.com
Tip: For those who aren’t faint of heart, add some “Bajan hot pepper sauce” to add a little kick to your fish cakes. You can also sandwich your fishcakes in a Bajan “salt bread”, which is affectionately known as a “bread and two”.
Either way you have it, who thought saltfish, flour and seasoning would be so delicious!
2. Cutters
What is a “cutter”?
Simply put, it is a sandwich comprising of a Bajan salt bread filled with cheese, egg, ham or fish. The star of this show is always the salt bread and here in Barbados, we love our salt bread because they have the perfect balance of crust on the outside while soft on the inside.
A cutter really isn’t a cutter without the salt bread!
The best thing about this delicacy is that they are different types. You can have a fish cutter, cheese cutter, egg cutter, ham cutter, liver cutter and even a ‘bread and two’. You can also get creative, imagine a ham, egg and cheese cutter, now that’s a fully loaded cutter – comfort food at its best!
Where Can I Find It?
There are two great options for where you can find a truly authentic Bajan cutter:
1. ‘Cuz’s Fish Shack’ – Needham’s Point, Bridgetown, St.Michael
Cuz’s – At around $10 BBds (with a drink) and served fresh within minutes of your order, it’s no wonder why there is usually a line, but don’t worry, the line moves very quickly. Try the blue marlin sandwich, after trying this cutter, you’ll understand why this beach shack has been drawing a line for over 40 years, and at such a price, you’ll go back for another!
2. ‘Cutters’ – Crane Beach, St.Philip.
Cutters – At Cutters the price ranges from $18 – $34 BBDs and it is more of a restaurant style when compared to Cuz’s. These traditional [baked ham, roast chicken breast, cheddar classic, flying fish] cutters also come with a choice of sides such as macaroni pie, peas & rice, cup o’ soup, cole slaw. No matter what your heart desires these fresh scrumptious sandwiches are guaranteed to hit the spot. Don’t forget to wash it all down with their award winning Rum Punch – yes, it’s that good!
For further information visit their website here!
Tip: This also goes great with some Bajan pepper sauce - everything goes great with some pepper sauce if you ask me – but don’t take my word for it!
3. Puddin n’ Souse
If there is one thing about Bajans, we love our pork and hence are affectionately known as ‘pork mouths’ so it’s really not surprising that pudding and souse (made with various off cuts of pork meat) is a Bajan delicacy. More specifically, pudding is made with pig intestines stuffed with seasoned sweet potato and unique mix of seasoning. Now the meat of the matter is in the souse and this is made from any part of the pig (but mainly the head and feet) boiled and pickled with lime juice, parsley, onion, cucumber, salt and pepper.
Where Can I Find It?
Traditionally this delicacy has become more of a Saturday ritual for many locals and can be found at some rum shops such as ‘The Village Bar at Lemon Arbour’ with some of the best pudding and souse all served on a deck overlooking the Barbados countryside.
4. Macaroni Pie
This “Sunday lunch” staple, a well-known and loved favourite in the island of Barbados is not your ordinary “mac n cheese”. Traditionally made Bajan macaroni pie is made with cheddar cheese and some unexpected ingredients such as mustard, ketchup, and even onions that not only gives it it’s amazing flavour but its rich orange colour. After the ingredients are mixed together, it is then baked to a cheesy perfection. No wonder this is so popular not only with the adults but children alike and after you’ve had this, it would be hard to go back to your regular “mac n cheese”.
Where Can I Find It?
Many buffets, restaurants, as well as roadside vendors, sell it along with other side dishes so feel free to sample a variety from different vendors since some people even add different secret ingredients that make it truly Bajan.
5. Cou-Cou and Flying Fish
What is “Cou-Cou”?
Cou-Cou is a local dish made from a mixture of cornmeal and okras. It can also be made with yam, breadfruit or even green bananas. Now it takes a true expert to make this fantastic dish as it requires continuous stirring to ensure all lumps are out so that you can have a smooth, fluffy meal. Most importantly ‘cou-cou’ is not complete without flying fish – Barbados’ national fish!
Where Can I Find It?
This deliciously smooth national dish can be found at ‘Brown Sugar’, located south of Bridgetown, St.Michael. Not only is this their speciality dish, they are also well known for their ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet lunches with a grand display of local dishes!
The very best in Barbadian cuisine!
For further information visit their website here!
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