The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Grenadian Foods. If you manage to be in an Grenadian restaurant or you are visiting Grenada, I recommend the following:
1.Pelau
Pelau is a traditional rice dish from St. Lucia, Guadeloupe and Dominica in the West Indies. Besides rice, the main ingredients of pelau are pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) or peas (Vigna unguiculata), caramelised meat or chicken, coconut milk, vegetables, chillies and often spicy herbs. Thanks to its one-pot simplicity, it is not only a popular everyday meal, but also ubiquitous at almost any family gathering, reunion or celebration in the Caribbean.
2. Lambie Souse
Lambie is the name of the conch which is the main ingredient in this dish. The shells are softened and sautéed with a mixture of lime juice, onion, garlic and chilli for a thick seafood meal that is also a great source of protein. Eating delicious fresh seafood is one of the best things to do in Grenada and a local favourite.
3. Grenadian Fudge
A mixture of Grenadian ginger, nutmeg or coconut and bitter chocolate, make sure you buy enough as you might want to eat it before you get home. When you buy souvenirs in Grenada, the fudge will make a great gift for friends and family.
4. Fried Bake and Saltfish
When it’s time for breakfast in Grenada, it’s time for fried potatoes. Toast is a type of bread that is baked until golden brown. You can choose from various toppings, such as cheese or sausage, but one of the favourites is saltfish stewed with tomatoes, onions and herbs.
5. Crab Back
Land crabs are plentiful in Grenada and taste similar to sea crabs. In restaurants, they are used in a dish called crab loins, cooked with a mixture of local spices and lime juice, then served in the shell and topped with crispy toasted breadcrumbs.
6. Callaloo Soup
A staple food throughout the Caribbean, large bay leaves are used in kallaloo soup, a staple of Grenadian cuisine. The green leaf soup has a creamy texture thanks to the coconut milk, making it perfect as a quick starter or snack any time of day.
7. Curry Goat
Grenada-style goat curry uses locally grown herbs and spices to add a unique twist to a popular Caribbean dish. Spiced goat is browned in sugar and then braised with onion, garlic, chilli and curry. Serve with garnishes such as rice and lime pickles for a spicy kick.
8. Oil Down
It is the national dish of Grenada, a humble dish from a humble country, a delicious one-pot meal of local vegetables, starchy root vegetables, green plantains, bacon and various spices. All the ingredients are boiled in a large pot with coconut milk, hence the name of the dish, which refers to the fact that the coconut milk absorbs all the other ingredients as it boils until only the coconut remains. Coconut oil on the bottom of the pan.
9. Roti
As a fusion of cultures you will find many French, Spanish, African and Indian influences when in Grenada, spiced with Caribbean spices. A meat, fish or vegetable curry served on wholemeal bread, roti is a delicious snack to take away.
10. Sweet Potato Pudding
When you think of desserts, sweet potatoes may not be the first ingredient that comes to mind. But it’s definitely a super-healthy dessert option. Made with grated coconut, cinnamon, milk, sugar and, of course, nutmeg, sweet potato pudding is a must-try Grenadian treat that you should try on your next trip to Grenada.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Caribbean Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.