Saint Lucia

“Figs” is another name for local bananas, rather than the favourite fruit that usually comes to mind, so green figs with salt fish is actually a dish using green bananas as its main ingredient. The most widely used type of fish is cod, although it can be practically anything (the Saint Lucia marine life is brimming with various fish). The selected saltfish is fully spiced, then dried and curried. Or it can be salted, boiled, flaked, and sauteed with local peppers, onions, chives, and various spices and herbs, such as thyme. When the fish is done, it is served with boiled and usually peeled (could also be left with the skin on) figs.

Bouyon is a delicious soup primarily served at major celebrations, family gatherings, or Sunday dinners and is cooked in large pots. It is made from local ingredients, including yam and sweet potato, along with slices of pork or ham hocks. Some recipes, though, replace yam with pumpkin. In any case, the resulting dish is a hearty and filling stew. Also, most of the time, you will see it accompanied by a hot sauce made with scotch bonnets - one of the hottest varieties of peppers on this planet!

If you have visited other Caribbean islands, chances are you have heard of or eaten dishes where conch (a local shellfish with a particularly tender meat that can be cooked in several different ways) is the star. Saint Lucia, though, has given the popular dish another spin and serves it up Creole style! Therefore, expect a heavily spiced version of conch, which is seasoned and then pan-fried, creating lambi! You will find it served across most restaurants on the island, especially those along the waterfront and in tourist areas. Although this dish may strike you as odd or too piquant at first, you will soon understand the long queues outside restaurants serving lambi!

Accra is a hugely popular food sold on the street and a favourite for both locals and tourists alike. It is made from codfish that is salted and packed into a small ball, before it is heavily seasoned (as expected!) and then deep-fried. You will see accra being chosen as an afternoon snack to go and pairs exceptionally with a cold local beer or another beverage of your preferences.

In Saint Lucia, “pepper pots” is a name that refers to any kind of stew-like dish which is made from whatever local ingredients or even any leftovers a family has. Most of the time, it is a stew containing lamb or chicken, but it can really be anything. Although this started as a home-style food option, it quickly found its way to the menus of most restaurants across the island. At this point, you should be forewarned, as pepper pots are absolutely true to their name, so expect something quite spicy!

• Fresh Lobster – every single day, local divers jump into the deep waters of the beautiful Caribbean island to provide the local restaurants with fresh lobster. The local lobsters, though, come with particularly meaty tails and are prepared in various different ways, from sushi to steamed.
• Callaloo Soup – It is a Caribbean signature dish called callaloo soup with African roots. The local chefs and cooks, though, have given it their own touches. So, callaloo in Saint Lucia is a callaloo (a type of spinach)-loaded broth made with coconut milk, which is combined with garlic, potatoes, okra, and other vegetables. You can find it being served in many different versions (i.e., containing fish, lobster, conch, and other fresh sea items).
• Breadfruit – It is a very popular Saint Lucia food served with a spicy sauce. On rarer occasions, you may see it being accompanied by plain mayonnaise, though. Breadfruit is a local fruit the size of a melon, with a sweet (yet a bit starchy) flavour, which grows on a local tree. It is usually cooked into small balls that are made from vegetables and cheese, and then fried and served alongside a main dish.
• Banana Cake – A dreamy dessert for those with a sweet tooth that is made from mashed bananas and comes loaded with nuts.
• Fry Bakes – Also referred to as float bakes, fry bakes are a lip-smacking breakfast option made from deep-fried sweet dough that looks pretty much like a pancake!

Kabisha is one of the most beloved local beverages and refers to an energy drink with a lightly carbonated and smooth taste that is found in many local grocery stores.

Other than that, Piton is the Saint Lucia-brewed beer the locals swear by. It is more widely known as Pilsner Beer and is brewed by the Heineken-owned Windward and Leeward Brewing Limited. You will find it served in bars and pubs across the island, as well as grocery stores.

Then, we have cocoa tea, a traditional spiced Saint Lucia drink that is mostly preferred for breakfast instead of coffee. Cocoa tea can be prepared at home by using grated cocoa sticks, nutmeg, cinnamon, and bay leaves in a pot. Of course, you can also order it at a restaurant or even at your resort.

Of course, there is no way to list the most popular drinks of a Caribbean island and not include rum. Chairman Reserve Rum is locally made from oaky vanilla, chocolate, caramelised fruits, cooked banana, and more. Its sweet, well-rounded taste makes it a stand-out option and a great main ingredient for fruity and sweet cocktails.

Finally, Nick Chocolate Stout is a refreshing drink usually enjoyed on the beach made from organic cocoa nibs (fresh roasted) and enchants with its deep aromatic flavour. It is a popular drink served on special occasions, such as birthdays, though you can buy it from stores around the island.