FULL OF GORGEOUS pink sandy beaches and sun-warmed waters, the Bahamas is known for its scenic beauty and year-round tropical weather. It’s also a great place for anyone who loves food, thanks to powerful flavors and tasty dishes. There’s a wide variety of shellfish, seafood, fresh fruit, and traditional sides — some you’ll see around the Caribbean; others are unique to the Bahamas. Some of the most famous dishes are based around conch (pronounced “konk”), which is the chewy, textured meat from a sea snail. But there’s so much more. Give your taste buds a whirl with these traditional Bahamian Food featuring conch, rum, and other key ingredients native to the islands.
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Cracked Conch
Conch, pronounced konks, are an indelible part of the Bahamian culture. You will find these shells on the beaches and listen to the mystical sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks. Not only are they a tourist experience, these conchs make for great dishes. The most popular ones are cracked conchs, and the fried meat is either served in Creole sauce or with traditional Bahamian herbs. For any food explorer, these are a must.
Johnny cake
If you’re looking for something a tad sweet, grab a piece of Johnny cake. Its simple flavoring comes from a handful of ingredients: flour, milk, butter, sugar, and baking powder. Best served in wedge-shaped pieces straight from the oven, this dense bread is usually eaten as a snack or side dish. It’s believed to have been created by indigenous people of North America and came to the Bahamas during the mid-Atlantic slave trade.
Guava duff
The Bahamas is home to various appealing exotic fruits, but guavas are the most loved. Guava duff is a spongy cake made with diced guava fruit and dough that’s rolled to create a spiral of guava in the center before being cooked. It’s then served with a coating of sweet butter rum sauce. It’s tedious and complex to make, but the end result will have you licking your fingers clean.
Pigeon peas and rice
Grab a fork and dive into a mound of pigeon peas and rice, a signature side dish that goes with virtually everything. The name says all that you need to know as the dish is based around rice and pigeon peas, which is a legume originally from India. Other ingredients include tomatoes, onions, tomato paste, salted pork, and a perfect mix of spices. All the ingredients work together to produce a browned, flavorful pot.
Conch fritters
Gird your arteries because conch fritters are a must-try. This deep-fried goodie is a ball of conch meat, onion, green pepper, celery, and garlic mixed with numerous seasonings. Fried until it’s golden brown, this delicacy is all the rage in all its greasy glory. Dunk your fritters into a dipping sauce made of ketchup, lime, juice, and mayonnaise.
Fish Soup
An integral part of the Bahamian food culture, this is every seafood lover’s dream and one of the most popular foods in Bahamas. Made with the fish of your choice and usually combined with veggies such as celery, onions, tomatoes, along with some lemon juice, sherry and dark rum, the soups are quite a treat for your taste buds. Also, you may be able to find turtle soup but after the sea turtles were placed on the list of endangered species, this dish has become rare.
Bahamian Fish Stew
This delicious Bahamian specialty is available in all the restaurants and is often regarded as the best food in Bahamas. The fish stew made here stands out from elsewhere because of the use of roux, which is a preparation of flour and fat that is used to thicken sauces, usually made with onion and tomatoes. Carrying just a hint of the taste of the Caribbean, it is important to get fresh fish to go along with the stew, and most restaurants in Nassau serve freshly caught snapper.
Souse
Souse is a dish that presents as something between a soup and a strew. It is made from onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, potatoes, and a significant amount of lime juice. Souse can be made with a variety of meats, including chicken, pig’s feet, or sheep’s tongue. Its aromas while cooking are difficult to ignore.
