Caribbean Seafood You Must Try

• Posted on 9 December 2021
• By Rohan M
• 0

Many Caribbean islands host seafood fry and festivals weekly for seafood lovers. Jirie Caribbean is here to bring to you the popular seafood dishes you should not miss on your next Caribbean adventure.

VIDEO: Caribbean Seafood You Must Try

The Caribbean sea is home to 12,046 marine species with more than 1,000 known fish species like flying fish, red snapper, tiger fish, and the colorful parrotfish.

Cracked Conch in The Bahamas

Cracked conch is one of the most popular Bahamian dishes. It is deep-fried until golden and crispy and has a similar texture to fried calamari, but meatier with a sweet flavor. Cracked conch is usually served with fries, rice and beans, or coleslaw. One of the best restaurants to get this delicacy is at Queen Conch in Bay Street, Dunmore Town, Bahamas.

Check out our Delicious Caribbean Seafood recipes on JirieCaribbean.com blog

Escovitch Fried Red Snapper in Jamaica

This spicy dish is similar to ceviche in its preparation with a variety of spices, seasonings, and tart vinegar. The red snapper or any similar firm, meaty fish is seasoned, fried, and marinated with a spicy vinegar-based dressing which includes colorful julienned bell peppers, carrots, onions, and Scotch Bonnet pepper for the heat lovers.

It is typically served with sides including rice or bammy, cassava bread. Local Jamaicans who prepare this dish at home would let it sit overnight so the fish can absorb all the dressing. We’ll show you how to make it at home in the recipe below but if you happen to be in Jamrock- Jamacia, you can get excellent escovitch red snapper in San San Beach in Port Antonio.

Lobster in St. Lucia

Lobster in St. Lucia is an island delicacy. Why? There is a strict, 6 months window to fish for lobster mandated by the local government to protect the lobsters from being overfished. The period runs from August 2nd – February 28th, so if you’re looking forward to eating lobster at the honeymoon destination, consider these dates.

But what makes this Caribbean lobster different from any other lobster? These spiny creatures have long tails and pointed barbs instead of claws. Their meat is sweeter, fattier, and has an almost butter-like texture. This is an island delicacy not to be missed, and restaurants offer the spiny indigenous lobster prepared and served in a variety of ways from steaming to ceviche and even as sushi. The go-to restaurant for lobster in St. Lucia is The Naked Fisherman in Cap Estate, Gros Islet.

Fried Flying Fish in Barbados

The cuisine of Barbados is a delicious melting pot of distinct flavors that intermingle influences from Europe, Asia, and Africa to create amazing dishes such as Fried Flying Fish. Bajans love affair with flying fish goes so deep, it is a key component of their national dish – Flying Fish and Coucou. The flying fish is native to the island of Barbados and was once so common in the island’s waters, so much so that, Barbados has been labeled “the land of flying fish.”

The key to Bajan fried flying fish is to marinate the fish in lime juice and Caribbean seasoning spice blends. Some locals fry the fish on the dry side and leave it out overnight to achieve a jerky texture. You can get fried flying at most local eateries and street vendors.

Bake & Shark from Trinidad & Tobago

Bake and shark is a traditional and iconic fast food dish of Trinidadian cuisine. It has been featured on the Insider and is made by preparing fried flatbread (bake), shark meat, and several vegetables. This fast food is sold at many street stalls and restaurants across Trinidad and Tobago.

According to Insider.com, “To make Trinciti’s bake and shark, fresh, shark is cleaned, skinned, seasoned, breaded, and deep-fried. The bake, or flatbread, is made by deep-frying unleavened bread dough until the center puffs up and the outside is golden brown. Trinbagonians typically top their food off with condiments, and bake and shark is no different.

Tamarind, mayo, honey mustard, garlic, pepper, and shadow beni (sawtooth coriander) are some of the sauces layered directly onto the shark. Fresh cucumber, cabbage, coleslaw, tomato, and pineapple usually top it off.

Now let’s cook and dish out this Escovitch Fried Red Snapper recipe using Jirie’s Adobo Lime Rub and The All-Island Caribbean Seasoning!