Foremost among them is the Bermuda onion, one of the earliest exports from the islands. Over the past 350 years, Bermudians have discovered countless ways to use the Bermuda onion. Visitors can sample an onion pie, an onion sandwich and even glazed onions for dessert. Another island favorite is Bermuda fish chowder, which is a highly spiced, thick broth made mainly of fish heads and fresh fish, usually served with a dash of sherry or rum and a squeeze of lemon. Also popular are conch chowder and Portuguese red bean soup.
Fish is served broiled, pan-fried, poached in wine sauce or stuffed and baked.
The mussel pie, a slightly curried, thick mussel stew in a pastry shell, is worth sampling. Mussels can also be enjoyed as fritters or just steamed. Hoppin' John is an adventurous combination of rice, peas, bacon, thyme, chicken and Bermuda onions. Local fruits, fresh or cooked, add a nice finishing touch to a meal. Bermuda has native strawberries, loquats, jumbo grapefruit, watermelon, Surinam cherries and banana fritters.