Caribbean street food is a major reason why the region has such a reputation for being one of the most hospitable to travellers, whether they’re just passing through or hoping to find somewhere to settle. The combination of the regions’ varied climates, their proximity to Europe, and the influence of their various European colonizers have led many cuisines from around the world to converge here over time.
In addition to that, there is no shortage of fresh seafood and fruits in this part of the world either. Combine that with its welcoming nature, and we have some recipes for some fantastic Caribbean street food. These delicious foods will not only take you back in time but also make you feel like you are stepping out of the present into a bygone era where everything was simpler and better than it is today.
Pita Bread
Pita bread is probably one of the most famous Caribbean street foods. It’s available almost everywhere in the region, but it’s especially common in Haiti, where it’s often made with cassava flour. The bread is not only a tasty filling itself but also the perfect vessel for dipping into a variety of sauces.
You can find pita bread at any street food cart or restaurant, but you’re most likely to find it in the fresh produce section of your local grocery store, where it’s usually more affordable than fresh.
If you try to make pita bread at home, you’ll find that store-bought pita bread is quite different from the soft, warm, and fresh bread most people are used to. It also doesn’t rise as well, so you won’t get the same results.
If you can make pita bread, you should definitely try it. It’s an excellent substitute for sandwiches and would also work well with a variety of toppings.
Fried Plantain Chips
If you haven’t tasted the amazing fried plantain chips, you’re missing out on a big part of Caribbean street food. These crunchy, salty, and sweet treats are best paired with a cold beer or piña colada.
Most of the time, carts selling fried plantain chips are also selling other Caribbean favourites like ice cream, which makes them even better.
If you want to make your own plantain chips, you can do so at home with just a few simple ingredients. You’ll need plantains that are very ripe and that have been left out on the counter for a few days.
To prepare the chips, you’ll need to peel the plantains and then cut them into long strips. You can do this with a potato peeler or on a chopping board with a sharp knife.
Next, you’ll need to dip the strips in a very hot and dry frying pan. You want to fry the plantains until they become crispy and golden brown, so they don’t turn into chips or into mush.
Dory Fingers and Fish Tacos
If you want to try something completely new, go for a dory finger taco. These tacos are made by deep-frying cod fingers until they become crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They are then topped with a spicy mayo and served in a warm tortilla with lettuce, tomato, jalapeño, and pepper.
No matter where you go in the Caribbean, you’ll find a variety of fish tacos. The most diverse options are found in the islands, where much different fish are found in the ocean and are available for sale.
In addition to all these fish tacos, you should also try the dory fingers to experience something completely new. These cod fingers are different from most other deep-fried items in that they are steamed before being fried. This process infuses them with a soft, sweet, and delicate taste that’s not found in other cod fingers.
Hummingbird Tostada
You can find fresh and homemade hummingbird tostadas almost everywhere in the Caribbean. They are basically a corn tostadas topped with salsa, sour cream, and cilantro. This is a great way to enjoy the local corn without having to mess around with any kind of complicated preparation.
Now, there are many different ways to prepare the local corn in the Caribbean, but the most common one is to remove the corn kernels from the cob, and then put it in a pot with salt water, which draws out the liquid from the corn and makes it crunchier. After the corn has been in salt water for a while, it’s ready to be served.
You can find a variety of different salsas to go with your corn tostada. Some of them are spicy, some are fruity, and some are rich and creamy. You should definitely try out as many different salsas as you can.
Choclo Corn (Mexican Tortilla)
If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy some corn on the cob, you should visit a Caribbean street food cart and try out a choclo corn taco. These tacos are made by grilling corn kernels and then topping them with a variety of ingredients like avocados, tomatoes, pineapples, and onions.
These tacos are especially popular in Puerto Rico, where they are usually served with a pico de gallo salsa made from ripe avocados and tomatoes. If you’re in another part of the Caribbean, you can usually find choclo corn tacos, too, but you should always ask the cart owner what ingredients are in the special sauce that goes with it.
If you can’t find choclo corn tacos, you can make your own version of the recipe by grilling corn kernels in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil until they become a little crispy on the outside.
Conch Fritters
If you love conch, you can find it in a variety of interesting forms in the Caribbean. You can find conch in the form of fritters, most commonly as conch salad, but also as conch fritters, which it is served with spicy mayo.
The conch fritter is basically a deep-fried ball of coconut with a sweet and savoury filling. The coconut ball is then served as a side with a salad or as an appetizer.
Conch fritters are usually served in the Caribbean street food, but you can find them in a number of different cuisines around the world. They are an especially good option for people who are gluten-free because they contain no flour.
Baked Beans and Eggs
If you’re craving something hearty, try making a batch of baked beans and eggs for dinner. This classic combination is most popular in the British islands, but it can be found in several Caribbean street food islands as well.
To make baked beans, you’ll need to boil some beans until they are very soft. You can do this in a pot on the stove or in a crockpot on low heat. You can also do it in a pressure cooker so that you don’t have to open the pot during the entire cooking process.
When the beans are soft, you can serve them as a side dish or make them into baked beans by mixing them with some seasoning and baking them in a pot. This is a very basic recipe, so you can add more spices or seasonings depending on what you like.
Coconut Flan (Vanilla Custard)
If you want to try something completely new, you can go for a coconut flan. These sweet and creamy desserts are usually made from a combination of sweetened milk, eggs, and coconut cream, but they can also be made from just milk and almond flour. The coconut cream flan is usually served warm with a little bit of vanilla extract mixed into it.
The coconut flan is a dessert that you can find in many parts of the world, including the Caribbean, but it’s especially popular in Latin American nations.
The coconut flan is not only delicious but also relatively simple to make. All you have to do is mix the milk, eggs, and coconut cream in a pan, then leave the mixture to cook while you go off and do something fun. When the flan is ready, you can serve it warm or cold.
Burgers and Hot Dogs
This may seem obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. The Caribbean is full of fantastic Caribbean street food that is perfect for a quick snack or lunch, but very few of them are burgers or hot dogs. These are classics that are enjoyed by many people, but not many street foods. This may change in the future, though, as these foods are popping up more frequently on menus.
Fish and seafood
As you may expect, the Caribbean is one of the best places in the world for seafood. Whether you’re diving for your own meal or eating at a local restaurant, there are a lot of great options. While many of these are sold by the piece, it’s worth checking out the larger whole fish that are often found on Caribbean street food. You may be surprised at how clean these fish look, even if they’re served in a paper bag.
This is likely because people are more likely to have access to a bucket and rags when eating on the streets. Most likely, you’ll also find a variety of other seafood, such as prawns, octopus, squid, and more.
Fried food
This may come as a surprise to most people visiting the Caribbean, but many of the island’s best Caribbean street food is fried. Not only are these foods delicious, but they’re also cheap, making them a great choice for those on a budget. You’ll find a variety of different foods that are usually deep-fried, including fries, plantains, and doughnuts. Another popular street food is a type of omelette called a owich, which is served with a variety of fillings, including meat, seafood, or veggies.
Guava paste and chutneys
These two sauces are a common topping on many Caribbean street foods, but what most people don’t know is that they’re also used for dipping. Most of these sauces are available at most grocery stores, making them easy to find, but if you’re eating on the streets, look for vendors that have a variety of them on hand. Guava paste is a sweet, sticky sauce that is often served with chicken, fish, or prawns. Chutneys, on the other hand, are slightly sour or spicy sauces that are generally served with roti or otwi.
Jerk chicken
This is one of those dishes that you may be tempted to try while visiting the Caribbean. While the concept sounds exotic, the dish itself is actually quite simple. All the ingredients are mainly found at a local grocer, making it a good choice for tourists. Jerk chicken is a type of barbecued chicken that is mixed with a spicy jerk seasoning. This is mixed with vegetables and served with a side of rice, which is then usually covered in gravy. You can usually find jerk chicken at most Caribbean beach towns.
Conclusion
Caribbean street food is a major reason why the region has such a reputation for being one of the most hospitable to travellers, whether they’re just passing through or hoping to find somewhere to settle. The combination of the regions’ varied climates, their proximity to Europe, and the influence of their various European colonizers have led many cuisines from around the world to converge here over time.
