The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Barbadian Foods. If you manage to be in an Barbadian restaurant or you are visiting Barbados, I recommend the following:
1. Fish Cakes
Perhaps the most popular food in Barbados, fish cakes can be found on every menu, from 5-star restaurants to street vendors. Fish cakes are a tasty blend of salted cod and local herbs and spices, fried to perfection.
2. Macaroni Pie
This Barbadian macaroni pie is comfort food at its best. Barbados has made macaroni and cheese their own by adding evaporated milk, ketchup and honey mustard to the dish. This baked casserole is creamy, savoury and slightly sweet, with a perfectly crispy breadcrumb topping.
3. Flying Fish
Fish of all varieties are popular among the islands, which makes it not surprising that flying fish, with a side of cou cou, is the national dish of Barbados. Considering that flying fish is also the most popular catch on the island, it further explains why this dish is so beloved by locals who have several ways of preparing it. You’ll usually find it alongside cou cou, which is cornmeal cooked with okra and water.
4. Cutters
Cutters are essentially simple sandwiches made with savoury bread. To make these, a roll of salted bread is cut in half to leave room to stuff the filling of your choice inside. Fillings include egg, sausage, ham or fish, but you can put almost anything you like in a salt roll. Salt bread can be eaten all day long and can be found in most local food places.
5. Coucou
The main ingredient of this main dish is okra, the African vegetable we were talking about, which is found in few countries outside Africa. Okra is also prepared with cornflour, onion, butter and water, which improves its flavour even more. If you want to try the dish in the more traditional way, ask for it to be served with fish, and if possible, with flying fish, another typical food of the island. If they don’t have flying fish, you can also eat it with cod.
6. Conkies
Conkies are a traditional Barbadian dessert that can be found around the island’s annual independence celebrations in November. Served wrapped in banana leaves, the main ingredients are pumpkin, cornmeal, sweet potatoes and coconut, along with local spices.
7. Breadfruit
The starchy nature of breadfruit makes it different from most other fruits, and its unique texture means that it is never served in a fruit bowl. In the Caribbean, breadfruit is considered a ground provision, along with things like yams, dasheen and the like. There are several ways to cook breadfruit, with most people choosing to boil it, bake it or make it into chips. Breadfruit is delicious with steamed fish or boiled chicken.
8. Pudding and Souse
Sousa pudding and gravy is a staple for Saturday lunch in Barbados. Souse is essentially pickled pork, while pudding is steamed sweet potato mixed with onions, salt and pepper. Pudding and souse are often served with pickled rolls on the side.
9. Bajan Black Cake
Making Bajan Black Cake is a process that involves soaking fruits such as cherries and sultanas in spiced rum, but you won’t have to worry about baking your own during your holidays, as this dessert is available throughout most of the year. However, if you’re travelling during Christmas or the holiday season, you can have more than you need with this delicious treat that usually incorporates Bajan rum.
10. Rice and Peas
Bajan rice and peas goes with almost anything, but is often served with fried fish. On this island, rice and peas refers almost exclusively to pigeon peas and rice. The process of cooking rice and peas is simple; the peas are first cooked with seasoning and then the rice is added. Some people choose to boil the rice with coconut milk to give it a fluffier texture and sweeter taste.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Caribbean Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.