Virgin Islands Culinary Styles

Culinary styles found in the Virgin Islands are one-of-a-kind

Dishes Like No Other

Virgin Islands vacationers will find a seemingly endless number of incredible and unique specialty dishes. But before you jump right in and start ordering, you may want to take a little time to learn the names of some of the island foods.

The easiest place to start is with the sea. Seafood, and especially fish, is a top choice for diners in the Virgin Islands - and for good reason. Whitefish, known by colorful names such as "ole wife" and "doctors," are one way to go, or take a taste of "porgies and grunts," yellowtail, kingfish, lobster, wahoo, grouper, mahi-mahi, tuna, and bonito. On the British Virgin Islands, lobster lovers will delight in Anegada lobster, which is said to be the Caribbean's best. Whelks and conch are two other seafood delicacies popular in the British Virgin Islands. Whelks resemble escargot, and conch is served in many different forms including soup, salad, and as a main dish. Salt fish and rice is a popular low-cost dish, with plenty of seasonings to spice up its plain-sounding name.

Okra, often spelled ochroe here, is a staple to many island meals. It is often served seasoned and fried as the side vegetable, but it is also a component to several other island mainstays. Take a taste of accra, a dish made with fried okra and black-eyed peas. Or try the unusual sounding fungi, composed of okra and cornmeal and often served alongside seafood dishes. Okra is also found in the popular island stew kallaloo (or callaloo), which is made with meat, seafood, and local ingredients and spices.

Soups here are often sweetened, and may even include fruits. Red bean soup is made with pork or ham, seasonings, and tomatoes, and is sweetened to taste. Tannia is a soup made from a starchy root of the same name with elephant-ear-shaped leaves, meat, and local seasonings and ingredients. Souse is an old-time dish made from the feet, head, and tongue of a pig in a lime flavored sauce.

Johnnycakes, deep-fried unleavened bread, are another popular dish, especially among the U.S. Virgin Islands. Another bread dish found mainly in the British islands is roti, an East Indian flat bread stuffed with meat and vegetables. Pate is a similar dish featuring pita bread stuffed with meat and vegetables and then baked or grilled.

Of course, no meal is complete without something to wash it down. The Virgin Islands offer up a few local concoctions, including Cruzan Rum, which is made in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many rum drinks are popular, with local recipes usually featuring fruit juices from the island. Mauby is another popular alcoholic beverage made from ginger, yeast, herbs, and the bark of the mauby tree. Ginger beer, bush tea, soursop juice, and sea-moss cooler provide liquid refreshment with a little less kick.

To close out a meal of local dishes, try some local desserts, beginning with fresh fruits. Homemade ice cream is another local specialty, or take a taste of sweet potato pie. Dumplings made with fruits are also served as dessert dishes. Rum cake and bread pudding are also popular.

You're sure to find something new and different when exploring the culinary side of these tasty tropical islands.

Print   Return to Normal View