Most countries have a favorite or national dish. Popular with residents and forming part of a country’s identity, they are an essential experience for visitors. The National Geographic book Food Journeys of a Lifetime has singled out the ten top national dishes. Hamburgers from the U.S. won the number one spot on the list, but look below to see which Caribbean destinations and dishes won the second and third spots.
Ackee and Saltfish
Despite ackee’s unhappy origins as slave food, Jamaicans have reclaimed it as part of their national dish. A nutritious fruit with a buttery-nutty flavor, ackee resembles scrambled egg when boiled. Jamaicans sauté the boiled ackee with saltfish (salt-cured cod), onions, and tomatoes. Sometimes the dish is served atop bammy (deep-fried cassava cakes) with fried plantains.
Coo-Coo and Flying Fish
A polenta-like cornmeal and okra porridge, coo-coo pairs perfectly with flying fish, which is either steamed with lime juice, spices, and vegetables or fried and served with a spicy sauce. |
