Grenada includes smaller islands which are Carriacou and Petite Martinique and numerous other small islands. Grenada is called the “Island of Spice” as it is famous for the production of nutmeg and mace crops. It is positioned northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This island is a famous tourist destination which is ideal for taking a holiday or vacation. In this post we are gonna look at some best dishes to try out in Grenada.
Grenada is known for its spices and variety of food. Some famous food items of Grenada are Oil Down, Pelau, Curry Goat, Nutmeg Ice Cream, Lambie Souse and so on. These are the special dishes of Grenada and people who love to try out a variety of food items will surely enjoy these dishes. The main attraction of Grenadian dishes is that it consists of a variety of spices which are mostly cultivated there itself. Some famous Grenadian spices are turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and bay leaf.
List of 10 Best Dishes to Try Out in Grenada are given below:
1. Oil Down
Oil Down is a salted meat and vegetable stew dish which is famous all over Grenada. Oil down is a stew of breadfruit, salted meat, bird, dumplings, callaloo and different greens stewed in coconut milk, herbs and spices. It is the local guys who prepare dinner oil down at parties or festivals. Oil down is very famous in nearby restaurants in Grenada. The oil from the coconut milk is utilized in cooking and is absorbed through the components or settles to the lowest of the cooking pot. All of the liquid is cooked down and therefore it is called the oil down. This iconic, one-pot stew is a staple for locals, featured at festivals, parties and gatherings in the community. It is a simple, comforting dish which is very tasty with salted meat, bird or fish, dumplings, coconut milk, turmeric, greens and breadfruit as the main components.
2. Pelau
Pelau is a conventional rice dish of the West Indies and in different Caribbean nations which includes Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The main component of this item is meat which is normally chicken or beef. Other components are rice, pigeon peas or cowpeas, coconut milk and sugar, numerous greens and spices which are elective elements. Some spices used within the dish are cardamom, cloves, cumin and coriander. Pelau is a hearty hen and rice dish that is best for gratifying your starvation pangs after sightseeing and purchasing in Grenada. This savory, one-pot meal usually consists of cooked beans, carrots, celery, purple candy peppers, brown sugar and coconut milk.
3. Curry Goa
Curry Goat or Curried Goat is a curry dish which consists of goat meat and has its origin from the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. This dish is a staple in Southeast Asian delicacies, Caribbean delicacies and delicacies of the Indian subcontinent. This wealthy and satisfyingly scrumptious Caribbean Curry Goat is pleasantly served along with rice and peas made with goat meat stewed till more tender, clean spices and a lot flavour. This dish unfolded during the Caribbean and the Indo-Caribbean diaspora in North America and Europe. Curry goat makes use of regionally grown herbs and spices for a completely unique spin of Caribbean dish. This seasoned goat dish is browned in sugar and slowly cooked with onions, garlic, warm pepper and curry powder. It is served with rice and toppings along with lime pickle for a burst of flavour.
4. Nutmeg Ice Cream
Nutmeg ice cream is a famous dessert in Grenada which includes milk, heavy cream, sugar, egg yolks and nutmeg. The thing to be noted while preparing this dish is that the nutmeg should be freshly grated when compared to the usage of the powdered varieties. When the ice cream is ready for consumption, it is served in cups with cinnamon sticks as garnishes. Grenada is one of the world’s biggest importers of nutmeg and the fragrant spice is utilized in an array of neighbourhood dishes. This item includes fresh nutmeg and heavy cream which is the main highlight of this dish.
5. Roti
Roti is a spherical flatbread which is local to the Indian subcontinent crafted from stone ground wheat flour. Rotis are flour skins or wraps full of curried chicken, fish, veggies or beef stuffed together. They are regularly eaten for lunch or dinner. Like breads across the world, roti is a staple accompaniment to different foods. As a melting pot of cultures, you can locate masses of French, Spanish, African and Indian prompted delicacies while you cruise to Grenada with Caribbean spices including a delectable twist. It is made with wheat flour bread and is a mouthwatering takeaway snack you can see widely in the restaurants in Grenada.
6. Lambie Souse
The lambie is tenderized and cooked slowly with onion, garlic, lime juice, peppers or herbs and water to create an easy but properly flavoured dish. Dining on delicious, clean seafood is one of the great activities while you cruise to Grenada and the most preferred dish is the lambie souse. Lambie is served along with conch and is a main component or ingredient of this special dish. Conch is tenderized and slowly cooked with a combination of lime juice, onion, garlic and warm pepper to create a soupy, seafood meal which has high protein content.
7. Sweet Potato Pudding
Sweet potato pudding consists of brown sugar and spices which is an excellent dessert or dish to comply with a vacation dinner. Sweet potato is regularly utilized in cakes as opposed to savory food in Grenada. The pudding is made with milk, sugar, grated coconut and spices including cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are added. Sweet potato pudding is not always the primary aspect that involves thoughts whilst you are thinking about cakes; however it is absolutely a wholesome alternative to try out. Sweet potato pudding is made with grated coconut, cinnamon, milk, sugar and of course nutmeg which cannot be missed out as it is the main spice of Grenada.
8. Cocoa Tea
Cocoa Tea has a diffused chocolate flavour in contrast to Hot Chocolate or candy Hot Cocoa. One can make it more tasty by including extra cocoa nibs or boiling the water for an extended duration of time. You can add a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg and a dash of almond milk to get a chocolaty flavoured tea. Cocoa tea consists of antioxidants and if you like warm chocolate you will love to drink cocoa tea in Grenada. It is made with cocoa balls, water and milk. This is an item you should surely try out if you are in Grenada.
9. Cocoa Balls
Natural Cocoa or Cocoa rolled into balls or ‘cakes’ is perfect for making Cocoa Tea, cooking or baking. This herbal product from the Caribbean island of Grenada carries no components or preservatives and is grown pesticide-free. The island’s specific volcanic soil offers its cocoa a completely unique wealthy flavour used in making the world’s high-quality Chocolatiers. Another bite-sized dessert you will love to have when you are in Grenada is a packet of cocoa balls. There are many cocoa plantations in Grenada which provides the best cocoa for making various chocolates. These small, spherical treats are very tasty to eat with cinnamon, thyme and bay leaf.
10. Callaloo Soup
Callaloo is a darkish leafy vegetable similar to spinach. The important ingredient in this soup is the leafy tops of the amaranth plant (callaloo or bhaaji) or taro root (dasheen). Callaloo soup can be made in different ways and there is no proper or incorrect method. It is surely a case of following one’s personal cultural upbringing. The dasheen leaf is an ingredient discovered at some point of the Caribbean and it is used to make callaloo soup which is the main dish of Grenada. This leafy inexperienced soup consists of a creamy texture along with coconut milk and it is an excellent starter or a brief snack which can be consumed at any time of day.
Though Grenada is a small island, the beauty of it and the unique dishes attract many people from around the world. Apart from this many spices are exported to different countries which in turn creates a huge income for the country. Some major exports other than spices are bananas, cocoa, fruits, vegetables, clothing, chocolate and fish. These items have a huge demand and are available in plenty. Though Grenada has a small economy, tourism is a major source of foreign exchange. Grenadian food or dishes are a mix of African, Arawak, Indian and British influences and are very tasty. Lastly, the best Grenadian food one needs to try while in Grenada is Oil Down which is Grenada’s national dish. Here was the rundown of 10 best dishes to try out in Grenada.
Also Checkout: 10 Best Dishes To Try Out In Grenada