The islands are home to some amazing food...if you've never enjoyed a Caribbean meal, you're missing out! From the freshest seafood to stews, desserts and even more exotic fare, a visit to Cayman certainly isn't complete without a taste. The following are dishes you'll find perfected in the homes and restaurants of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman...which is your favourite?
Conch
A sea snail found in abundance in the tropics, conch is served in a variety of ways in Cayman. Often found in a stew alongside onions, peppers and coconut milk, other popular ways of serving this seafood include in fritters, chowder and ceviche, and also marinated so it's hot and spicy.
Fish Fry
No island vacation is complete without a good old-fashioned fish fry! A classic dish that can be found in many places around the world, fish like grouper, mahi mahi and snapper, among other varieties, is seasoned, battered and fried. It is traditionally served alongside onions and bell peppers, and topped with a sauce of pepper, worcestershire, tomato and lime.
Jamaican Cuisine
Caymanian food has been heavily influenced by the flavours of Jamaica. From jerk chicken and pork to plantains, patties, rice and beans, yams and curry, many restaurants feature this items on their menus and many islanders have also learned how to create them from scratch. Worth sampling.
Cassava
The root of a shrubby tree, cassava is a starchy ingredient used in a range of dishes. Cassava Cake, the most common, is baked from grated cassava, brown sugar, vanilla, coconut milk, sea salt and a few additional ingredients. As tasty as it is simple, it's the ideal dessert.
Rock Buns
Much more appealing than the name suggests, rock buns are a traditional dessert in Cayman that are similar in taste to cinnamon buns. Simple to make and a hit with the kids, typical ingredients include flour, sugar, butter, dried fruit and egg. You can also try serving them as an afternoon snack.
Rundown
A “throw it together” type of stew, making a rundown is a popular island method for using up those odds and ends in the fridge. Generally made with a base of salt beef or fish, you'll often find celery, onion, peppers and coconut milk in the mix, as well as cassava, yams and more. Dumplings take it up a notch!
From all types of seafood to Jamaican cuisine, cassava, rundown and rock buns, the food of the Cayman Islands is worth discussing. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury, you're guaranteed to find something on the menu that suits you...did we forget anything? Let us know what your top favourite island meal is on Twitter or Facebook!
Image Credits: Wrecking Tree Conch Salad by Steve Bennett, fried globefish by Hideya HIMANO, Jerk Chicken Meal wih Escabeche by Naotake Murayama, Cassava heavy cake by Joy, Rock Cakes by su-lin, chicken stew by stu_spivack
