The following highlights some of the popular Traditional French Guianan Foods. If you manage to be in an French Guianan restaurant or you are visiting French Guiana, I recommend the following:
1. Bouillon d’ Aurora
This is a traditional Creole Easter dish eaten on Easter Sunday. It consists of many ingredients including different types of meat, fish, shrimps, all in a sauce made of awara (palm fruit) sauce. The meal takes between 24 and 36 hours to cook, so it is usually only eaten once a year.
2. Kalou
It is a fish-based dish that is cooked smoked and spiced with vegetables including chard, kale and onions.
3. Planter’s
It is a very popular and traditional drink based on a cocktail made with a mixture of rum, sugar and fruit juice, you can play with the fruit of your choice.
4. Doku
It is a creamy dessert of ground corn with cinnamon and brown sugar.
5. Blaff
It is a type of soup that is made from fish and various types of local spices are used. It is usually eaten for breakfast.
6. Boucanage
Smoking is a method of preserving meat and fish by smoking the food for an extended period of time. The fish must be completely dry and clean, large pieces are chopped and after adding the brine, they are placed on shelves one metre above the boucan cooker. If the wood does not burn, smoke will be produced.
7. Couac
Kuak or kwak is a flour or semolina made from cassava roots soaked in water, ground and dried. When ready, it is cooked and served as a side dish or in a salad.
8. Ti ‘Punch
The TI’Punch or petit punch is one of the typical Guyanese drinks consumed in the summer, as it is refreshing. It is a tasty snack that is usually drunk before a meal. However, for Guyanese it is perfect at any time of the day. It is a simple cocktail made with rum typical of the agricultural region. When mixed, you get a very cool drink with no ice. You can also sweeten it with sugar syrup and complement it with the juice of an orange lime.
9. Forest Game
It is mainly a hunting activity, where a wide variety of animals are hunted, such as collared peccaries, pacas and tapirs. Once hunted, these are usually eaten in the form of fricassee and served with rice and beans.
10. Roti
Roti is an unleavened flatbread made from whole wheat flour. It is traditionally prepared in an iron pot of Indian origin. There are many variations on the basic roti such as chapati, makki di roti, tandoori roti and roti canai. It is commonly used as a garnish in various dishes, including curries, and is often served as a sandwich wrap and eaten as street food in the Caribbean.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional South American Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.