The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Sint Maartener Foods. If you manage to be in an Sint Maartener restaurant or you are visiting Sint Maarten, I recommend the following:
1. Whelk Soup
Whelks are saltwater molluscs that are smaller than sea snails, but are excellent for a hearty meal. Many different dishes can be prepared from them, and St. Maarten often finds them in clam chowder. Soup recipes can vary, but generally the snails are stewed in coconut milk or vegetables and spices are added. The snails add a wonderful flavour to the broth and provide a unique and delicious experience.
2. Locri
Another popular traditional St. Maarten dish is locri, a simple but delicious dish of rice, chicken, various vegetables and lots of spices. Everything is cooked together in one pot, so the flavours really come together for an enjoyable and memorable experience in a true St. Maarten cuisine. Think of it as a wok or paella.
3. Spare Ribs
You can find some of the best ribs you’ve ever tasted at one of the many spare ribs (called lolos) scattered around the island. Expertly grilled until the meat falls off the bone, the ribs are topped with a delicious sweet, sour and spicy BBQ sauce. Sauce recipes may vary slightly between Yi people, as they are often traditional family recipes passed down from generation to generation.
4. Johnny Cakes
Johnny Cake, or Journey Cake, was originally a cornbread invented by the Indians. Later it was made with wheat flour. Although it is a sweet bread, it can be served with hot dishes. It is a very common dish in the Caribbean islands.
5. Guavaberry Liqueur
Guava rum is a traditional island alcoholic drink made from sugar, rum and guava maldita. It is always made in large quantities, because the locals love this drink all year round, but especially at the end of the year festivities.
6. Crabmeat Stuffed Shells
This delicacy includes freshly cooked blue crab meat served with sautéed onions, tomatoes, salsa and Worcestershire sauce. Return the mixture to the original crab shells, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and place under the broiler before serving.
7. Codfish Fritters
These crispy codfish fritters are one of the most popular ethnic dishes. They consist of dried salted cod, mashed potatoes, onions, parsley, eggs and various spices. The cod is mainly marinated and boned, then added to a creamy mixture, shaped into ovals or rounds and fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Often enjoyed as appetizers in restaurants or at formal dinners, they make a satisfying main course with rice and a variety of fresh salads.
8. Conch and Dumplings
The national dish of the Dutch island of Sint Maarten is clams and dumplings. First they grind the conchs (sea snails) to soften them, then pressure cook them with meatballs, herbs and spices. The thick clam and meatball sauce can be eaten with rice, vegetables and pancakes. You can also find several delicious soups of this dish.
9. Callaloo
The French favourite and national dish is Callaloo, a thick soup made with spinach leaves, diced pork, peppers, okra, black pepper, thyme and chicken stock. You can find Callaloo soup every Saturday night at shack ital Philipsburg and Captain D’s Roadside Grill in Simpson Bay.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Caribbean Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.