Cayman Food & Drink

 

While many travellers visit the Caribbean for the sun, sand and relaxation, others choose the islands for the fantastic food and drink. Cayman cuisine, which is influenced by both Jamaican and British cultures, is varied in terms of flavour and style. Stews and soups are quite popular, as well as seafood and a range of tropical ingredients. Read on for a guide to Cayman Islands food and drink.

 

Conch

 

Conch is a tropical mollusk, or sea snail, that is abundant in Cayman. Often cooked in a stew, many island restaurants serve a number of conch dishes that are quite popular with patrons. Most recipes for Conch Stew include conch meat, onion, peppers, hot pepper, coconut milk, salt and flour. The conch meat is pounded to tenderize it and then boiled for up to 3 hours before being added to the stew. Examples of additional dishes include conch ceviche, chowder and fritters, and it is also served marinated in citrus, onions and hot sauce.

 

Image: http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Chowder/ConchChowder.htm

 

Cassava

 

Cassava, a popular ingredient in the Caribbean, is the root of a shrubby tree. Known for its high starch content, it's used to make a variety of Cayman dishes, perhaps the most common being a dessert dish. Grated cassava, brown sugar, coconut milk, vanilla, sea salt, cornstarch, butter and a few spices are combined to create a heavy, golden-brown cake. Cassava Cake is frequently served with a scoop of ice cream.

 

Image: http://travelbystove.palfreymedia.com/cayman-islands-recipes-cassava-heavy-cake.asp

 

Cayman-Style Beef

 

Cayman-Style Beef is a popular island dish with some spice. Fresh beef, with the fat trimmed away, is combined with salt, pepper, Scotch bonnet peppers, onion and garlic and simmered for up to 4 hours over low heat. Once the desired tenderness is reached, it's served with steamed vegetables and traditional rice and beans.

 

Image: http://www.caymanislands.ky/caymanrecipes.aspx

 

Christmas Beef

 

A common holiday meal in the islands, the Christmas Beef tradition in Cayman dates back to when meat was only eaten on special occasions. A combination of beef and pork, despite the name, it is cooked slowly and seasoned with Scotch bonnets, scallions, garlic, thyme, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and more. Often cooked with carrots and onions, Christmas Beef is guaranteed to be delicious leftover and should be marinated in advance.

 

Image: http://www.caribpro.com/Caribbean_Property_Magazine/index.php?page

 

Old-Fashioned Fish Fry

 

The Caribbean is known for the abundance of fresh, delicious seafood available. An old-fashioned fish fry is a must-eat for island visitors. Available at many eateries, battered, fried fish is served with sides such as coleslaw and fries, as well as tartar sauce and lemon. Variations of this dish are available in many countries.

 

Image: http://www.twofatbellies.com/tag/fries/page/2/

 

Jamaican Dishes

 

Having been colonized by Jamaica prior to the British, food in the Cayman Islands was heavily influenced by their preferences. Many traditional island ingredients are also common in Jamaica, such as cassava, coconut, plantains and yams. You'll also find Jamaican influence in the seasonings; jerk and curry are widespread here, and delicious. The above listed ingredients are often transformed into tasty side dishes and rice and peas, a Jamaican staple, is frequently served. Many restaurants boast a stunning jerk chicken on their menu.

 

Image: http://drinksdinnerdessert.blogspot.ca/

 

Seafood

 

Conch, as listed above, tuna, shrimp, scallops, lobster, snapper, mahi mahi, or dolphin-fish (not to be confused with the mammal!), whelks, wahoo and much more are all popular in the islands. Used in many dishes, from stews to fish fries and sandwiches, much of the seafood in Cayman is freshly caught, often that very day. Fish is often prepared “Cayman-style,” which means lightly breaded and pan-fried, or sauteed, and tossed in a tasty tomato sauce with onions and sweet peppers.

 

Image: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/4126422/Caribbean-cruises-where-to-eat-and-shop-on-the-Cayman-Islands.html

 

Fruit Cake

 

Fruit cake is another popular holiday dish . The variety that's most popular in the islands is made by soaking a variety of fruits in rum, cake wine or cream sherry before adding ingredients such as nuts, brown sugar, brandy, rum mincement and nutmeg. The flavour is quite distinct and the finished product is often sprinkled with cake wine.

 

Image: http://www.worldwidewebawards.net/Food/Caribbean.html

 

Sorrel

 

Sorrel, a European plant with arrow-shaped leaves, is another Cayman favourite. It's used to make a tasty holiday beverage many islanders associate with Christmas. Sorrel, ginger and cloves are steeped in boiling water overnight, strained and sweetened before serving. If you'd like a version with more depth, you can add cinnamon and orange zest to the steeping mixture and rum at the end.

 

Image: http://thedeepdishcayman.com/spicedsorrel/

 

Turtle

 

Turtle is often referred to in Cayman as “the other white meat.” Deeply traditional and rooted in the culture, the history of eating turtle meat is somewhat harrowed. Sea turtles were classified as endangered and, in the 1990s, hunting them was banned internationally. The Cayman Turtle Farm was opened in order to educate the public and breed these creatures both for food and for re-release into the wild. Most island restaurants serve turtle dishes, including stews, soups and steaks.

 

Image: http://jetskibrian.com/2011/12/02/jet-ski-fishing-and-a-trip-to-cayman-island/

 

Rock Buns

 

Rock Buns, a traditional dessert, are delicious little cakes. Reminiscent of cinnamon rolls, they are a simple option made from ingredients likely to be on hand, such as flour, baking powder, sugar, butter, dried fruit, milk and egg. They're ideal as an afternoon snack and kids are always a big fan.

 

Image: http://britishfood.about.com/od/recipeindex/r/rockckaes.htm

 

Bammy

 

Bammy is a dish that, though not unique to the Cayman Islands, is readily cooked and enjoyed. Pronounced “Bawmie,” it is a starchy dish similar in appearance and texture to a potato cake. Grated cassava is wrung out and slightly dried before being moistened, either with water or another liquid, seasoned and fried in a small amount of oil. It is usually eaten in place of bread, or with turtle stew.

 

Image: http://wiwords.com/word/bammy

 

Rundown

 

Rundown is the term used to refer to a stew made from a “little bit of everything.” With fish or salt beef as a protein, common extras include onion, celery, hot peppers, bell peppers, coconut milk and breadkind, a mixture of green banana, cassava, yam and other starchy vegetables. Cornmeal dumplings are a popular addition.

 

http://thedeepdishcayman.com/salt-beef-rundown/

 

Fish Tea

 

Similar to a Rundown, fish tea is more like a soup than a stew. Often made from boiled fish heads, the cook's fish of choice is combined with onions, peppers, salt and pepper, as well as green bananas, to make a hearty dish that's especially delicious with some crusty bread. It is a staple of Cayman cuisine.

 

Image: http://www.pinterest.com/e11824pat/cayman-islands/

 

Popular Beverages

 

Caymanians are huge fans of fruit punch, which they make by combining orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine to create the perfect balance of sweetness. Ginger beer is also a favourite, which is similar to ginger ale but with a much stronger flavour.

 

Image: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/jun/29/how-make-real-ginger-beer

Classic Cocktails

 

Any island bar worth it's weight makes a mean Dark and Stormy, a potent mixture of ginger beer and dark rum. Cayman Lemonade, which combines triple sec, vodka and peach schnapps, is another favourite that packs a punch. The Frozen Mudslide, a Grand Cayman original, includes ice, Irish Creme and Kahlua and is perfect for a hot summer day. Many Caribbean cocktails are also available, such as rum punch, pina coladas, margaritas (Margaritaville, anyone?), daiquiris, mojitos and more. Caybrew, which is brewed in the islands, is the number one choice for beer.

 

Image: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/life/culinary-caribbean-on-the-cayman-islands-181480.html

 

Food Festivals

 

Cayman's love of food and drink shines through in its annual food festivals. The Cayman Cookout, which is held every year in January, is a top culinary event in the Caribbean. Held over 4 days, there are a variety of exciting demonstrations, tastings, dinners and tours held by renowned expert chefs and wine connoisseurs. The following month, the Taste of Cayman Food and Wine Festival, which began in the 1980s, is held. This festival sees over 45 restaurants competing in a chili cook-off. With an average attendance of over 5,000, it has grown to include craft vendors, dessert and mixology competitions, demonstrations and more.

 

Image: http://www.caymanislands.ky/eventsoffers/caymancookout.aspx