The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Vincentian Foods. If you manage to be in an Vincentian restaurant or you are visiting Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, I recommend the following:
1. Red Snapper
Seafood is at the heart of St Vincent’s cuisine, and for good reason: it is, after all, an island. Red snapper is a favourite, and you’ll find unusual options including mahi mahi, pilot whale, striper and kingfish, as well as more familiar flavours such as tuna, squid, octopus and lobster. The flavours here are fiery, and you’ll find spicy fish as well as baked and fried dishes and hearty stews. Recommendations for quality red snapper include 4 Shells Fish Joint in Calliaqua, a small restaurant near the southern tip of the island, often cited for serving the best seafood on the island.
2. Pumpkin Soup
This is a delicious pumpkin soup that is very common in the Caribbean islands. In addition to pumpkin, other main ingredients of the soup are corned beef, heavy cream, cinnamon, tabasco and vegetables such as onions, celery, leeks and potatoes. The characteristic deep orange colour of sopi di pampuna is achieved by heating the ruku seeds in hot oil, discarding them and using the coloured oil in the soup.
3. Madongo Dumplings
Made from local arrowroot, nutmeg and coconut, madongo dumplings are a special dish you’ll only find in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This is mainly because arrowroot is not grown elsewhere, and St. Vincent is one of the only places where this flour is grown commercially. Madongo dumplings are the epitome of Caribbean home cooking, not a delicacy found on restaurant or hotel menus across the island. If you try it, you’ll know you want authentic St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
4. Hairoun Beer
You’ll find Hairoun Brewery in northeast Kingston, where they’ve been brewing the same beer since the mid-1980s. Also known as St. Vincent Brewery, Hairoun Beer is now a household name on the island, which means you’re likely to find it on most menus and behind bars when you visit. On the palate, expect a light lager without too much head and be prepared for citrus to fill your nose. This is the perfect beer for the Sunshine Islands.
5. Buljol
A classic Caribbean dish, caldo is a salad usually made of minced cod or salted fish, peppers, tomatoes, oil and onions. Served cold and sometimes for breakfast, there are several versions of this traditional dish, and you’ll find variations in flavour and ingredients from neighbouring regions, such as Trinidad. However, we thought they were all equally delicious, with just the right amount of local flavour. The perfect lunchtime dish to enjoy al fresco as the Caribbean sun sets.
6. Breadfruit
Breadfruit and fried jackfruit are the national dishes of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and no trip to the tropical island paradise is complete without trying them at least once. The breadfruit tastes like potatoes, but it comes from the same tree as the mulberry and jackfruit, and in itself is different from what you’ll find on the shores of England. As well as jackfruit, it can be mashed with garlic and oil or with coconut and banana leaves. With over 25 different types of breadfruit to be found in St Vincent and the Grenadines, you’re spoilt for choice, whether you’re in a hotel, a local restaurant or a traditional coffee shop.
7. Banana Fritters
Plantains grow in large quantities in St. Vicent, making them an important part of the island’s cuisine. Plantain fritters are easy to find, cooked and fried in oil, flour and sugar, making them the Caribbean’s favourite Caribbean convenience at home and abroad.
8. Fried Jackfish
The fish is usually first marinated in lemon juice, then dusted with flour and fried until crispy. The dish is usually served with a sauce based on onions, tomatoes, garlic, thyme or a mixture of other vegetables and herbs. This hearty combination of roasted breadfruit and fried jackfruit is often called St. Vincent and the Grenadines and is often served as a hearty lunch option. All breadfruit is traditionally roasted over an open flame until lightly charred on the outside and soft and tender in the middle.
9. Callaloo Soup
Callaloo Soup is a local favourite in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the health conscious. Available everywhere from weddings and events to street food stalls, there are many variations: you can find beef, chowder or crab versions. The main ingredient is a local leafy vegetable, the exact nature of which varies from recipe to recipe. The main ones are garlic, onion, paprika, potatoes and coconut milk, and you can find other possible ingredients such as tapioca and yam.
10. Rum Punch
Rum is a classic Caribbean drink, and you’ll be spoilt for choice on your visit to St. Vincent. A history of sugar plantations has driven rum production, while banana cultivation has become popular in recent years, and you’ll find that local interest in the island’s favourite spirit remains strong. Be sure to try the recommended favourites: the famous Vrone Sunset Rum, Captain Blight XO and Sunset Rum Punch.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Caribbean Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.