Bahamian cuisine

Bahamian cuisinerefers to the foods and beverages ofThe Bahamas. It includes seafood such as fish, shellfish, lobster, crab, and conch,as well astropical fruits,rice,peas,pigeon peas, and pork.  Popular seasonings commonly used in dishes include chilies (hot pepper), lime, tomatoes, onions, garlic, allspice, ginger, cinnamon, rum, and coconut.Rum-based beverages are popular on the islands.Since the Bahamas consist of a multitude of islands, notable culinary variations exist.
Bahamian cuisine is somewhat related to that of theAmerican South, with dishes held in common such as "fish 'n' grits".A large portion of Bahamian foodstuffs are imported (cf.economy of the Bahamas).International cuisine is offered, especially at hotels.
Many specialty dishes are available at roadside stands, beach side, and in fine dining establishments. In contrast to the offerings in the city ofNassauand the many hotels, "shack" type food stands/restaurants (including Goldies and Twin Brothers) are located atArawak Cayon West Bay Street about 15 minutes from downtown Nassau and 25 minutes fromAtlantis Paradise Islandresort. This is a very organized and safe place to enjoy fresh seafood and all local Bahamian dishes.Travellers Rest Restaurant, in Nassau, is known for serving authentic "local" foods.
Bahamian cuisine is showcased at many large festivals, including Independence Day (Bahamas) on July 10 (during which inhabitants prepare special dishes likeguava duff), Fox Hill Day (second Tuesday in August), andEmancipation Day.  Some settlements have festivals associated with the traditional crop or food of that area, such as the Pineapple Fest in Gregory Town,Eleuthera.
Bahamian traditions and food have been exported to other countries with emigrants.Coconut Grove,Floridacelebrates the Goombay Festival in June, transforming the area's Grand Avenue into a Carnival (Caribbean Carnival) in celebration of Bahamian culture, Bahamian food and music (Junkanoo and "Rake'N'Scrape").Fantasy FestinKey West, Florida includes a two-day street party known as Goombay held in Key West's Bahama Village neighborhood.It is named after thegoombaygoatskin drums that generate the party's rhythms and held in celebration of the heritage of Key West's large Bahamian population with food, art, and dancing.
Fruit juices, includingcoconut water, are often used for beverages.Switchais a "lemonade" made with native limes.Goombay Punchis a commercially prepared, highly sweetened soft drink.It differs from theGoombay Smash, which is an alcoholic preparation. Triple B is a non-alcoholic malt drink made by the Bahamian Brewery.
Alcoholic beverages includerum,which is sometimesinfused with coconut. Rum is also used in mixed drinks such asrum punch.Sky juiceis a drink consisting of coconut water blended with condensed milk andgin.TheYellow Bird (cocktail), the Bahama Mama, theGoombay Smash, andPlanter's Punchare popular local drinks.Nassau Royaleis a Bahamian liqueur and is used to make the C. C. Rider.The Bahamian Brewery makes beers including: Sands, Bush Crack, High Rock (named for a geographic feature:High Rock) and Strong Back.Kalikis a Bahamian beer.
Bahamians enjoy many soups popular throughout the Caribbean includingconch chowderor stewed conch, stewed fish andsplit pea soup(made with ham). Peas are used in various soups, including a soup made with dumplings andsalt beef.Souseis a soup usually made with chicken, lime, potatoes and pepper,and if made with fish is called boiled fish.These soup dishes are usually served withJohnny cakeorgrits, often for breakfast or as a post-hangovermeal.
Turtle soupwas once a mainstay before turtles became endangered.
Seafood is a staple in the Bahamas.Conch,  a large tropicalmollusk(sea snail) with firm, white flesh, is the national dish of the Bahamas.Conch can be prepared in a number of ways: served raw with lime juice, raw vegetables and even fruit called conch salad. It can be steamed, stewed, deep-fried ("cracked conch" orconch fritters), used in soups (especially conch chowder), or served insalads.  Other popular shellfish arecrab(including theFlorida stone crab), which is often served baked, or another dish called crab fat and dough. The clawlessspiny lobster, also known as rock lobster and sometimes referred to ascrayfish.Grouperis often served fried, sautéed, grilled or, more traditionally, boiled (called boiled fish) and offered withgritsorJohnny cake.Bonefish, found in great numbers in Bahamian waters, is served baked.
Fish may be servedescabechestyle, in a mixture of lime juice or vinegar with seasoning.In escabeche the fish is cooked first, differentiating it from the similarly preparedceviche.  "Stewed fish" is a method of preparing fish with celery, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and spices.
Popular meat dishes are made withchicken,pork, andgoat(also referred to asmutton).Iguanais still hunted and eaten, especially in the outlying islands, although some species, such as theNorthern Bahamian rock iguana, are endangered.
An inexpensive dish, known locally as "Fire Engine", consists of steamed, canned corned beef served with either grits or white rice.
Bahamian side dishes shared with the American South includegrits, bakedmacaroni and cheese,coleslaw,potato salad, boiled vegetables, andjohnnycake. Other more traditional Caribbean sides includepigeon peas, fried plantain,peas and riceandcassavabread.Salt porkis also served.
Bahamian dishes are frequently seasoned withOld Soursauce especially fish dishes.
Bahamian cuisine incorporates many tropical fruits.Guavas are used to makeduff (dessert). Ice cream is popular, including fruit flavors such assoursop.Puddingsare eaten, including asapodillapudding.Papaya(called pawpaw or melon tree) is the most famous Bahamian fruit and is used for desserts, chutneys, "Goombay"marmalade(made with papaya, pineapple, and green ginger), or simply eaten fresh at breakfast. Papaya is also used as a meat tenderizer, and in tropical drinks such as the Bahama Mama.Melons,pineapples,passion fruit, andmangoesare also grown in America.
Bahamians enjoy a variety of desserts, includingtarts(coconut and pineapple),guava duff,bread pudding,rum cakeand cornmeal pudding.Fruit cake is eaten during the Christmas holiday. Benny and peanut cake (which are not cakes at all) are also favorites among Bahamians.