National cuisine of Barbados

Folk Cuisine of Barbados

Barbados' national cuisine is a vibrant fusion of African, Indian, and British culinary traditions. While most food in Barbados is imported, resulting in some limitations on the variety of dishes, the abundance of seafood and spices more than makes up for this limitation. Traditional Barbadian cuisine features a wide array of seafood dishes, which is fortunate given the island's coastal lifestyle.

National Dishes of Barbados:

• Seafood: Porridge made from grains and coo-coo, caviar, and flying fish in various preparations are among the most common dishes in Barbados. Additionally, they enjoy sea urchin (ursin or "sea egg"), lobster, shrimp, dorado, snapper, mackerel, tuna, shark, barracuda, a wide variety of salted fish, and various shellfish.
• Vegetables, Root Vegetables, and Fruits: Barbados' traditional menu includes many minimally processed plant-based products. Yams, eggplant, sweet potatoes, cassava, breadfruit, pumpkin, avocado, green banana, guava, Bajan cherry, rampa, oranges, Indian dates, sugar apples, sapodillas, and more are grown and consumed here.
• Pork: Pork is the most popular meat in Barbados, and a wide range of dishes are crafted from it. This includes traditional schnitzels and cutlets, a type of kebab with a spicy sauce, or a colorful "souse" – marinated and fried pork (often utilizing even heads and tails), served with sweet potatoes, onions, cucumbers, various herbs, and pepper sauce. Barbadians have a particular fondness for "pepperpot" or "cohoblopot" – a spicy meat stew with okra, as well as "jump-up" – lamb ribs in a spicy sauce.

• Conquis: A specially prepared blend of grains, coconut, sweet potatoes, raisins, pumpkin, sugar, and spices, typically served on a banana leaf.
• Cater: Rolled flatbreads filled with meat or cheese.
• Roti: Unleavened flatbread filled with curried meat and vegetables.
• Jag-jag: Made from grains and green peas, it is a common item on the holiday table.

Barbados offers a unique recipe for rum, making it a standout drink. Local beer and, of course, tea are also highly regarded beverages.