3 Delicious Barbados Foods You Must Try

Three of the tasty Barbados foods that are popular among locals and tourists are macaroni pie, fried flying fish, and fish cakes.

Bajan Macaroni Pie

Macaroni pie in Barbados is a local dish made of macaroni, butter, breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, milk, mustard, white pepper, onion powder, red or cayenne pepper, eggs and salt. This Barbados food is great for adults and children who love mac and cheese. It can be easily found throughout the island as it is a local specialty.

To prepare macaroni pie, the macaroni is placed in boiling water, which is sprinkled with some salt. The macaroni is cooked until begins to soften. This usually takes about 7 to 9 minutes. The macaroni is then drained before being mixed with melted butter. The cheddar cheese is then grated and mixed with the butter and macaroni mixture.

The eggs are then whisked in a separate bowl. Other ingredients namely milk, mustard, white pepper, onion powder, red or cayenne pepper, and salt are added once the egg white and yolk are fluffy. The mixture is then added to the macaroni, cheese and butter mixture in a deep casserole dish.

Quite often as an additional topping grated cheddar cheese, along with the bread crumbs, is spread over the top of the dish before placing it into the oven for 30 to 45 minutes. Some people also place two to three tablespoons of tomato ketchup to add extra taste and color.

Bajan Fried Flying Fish

Barbadians prepare this dish by use flying fish cut in fillets, limes, salt, Bajan seasoning, breadcrumbs, eggs, flour, white pepper, and paprika.

A mixture of water, lime and salt is prepared. This is where the flying fish fillets will be soaked or marinated for about half an hour. The flying fish is then rinsed and patted dry. Eggs are whisked before mixing with salt, white pepper and any other seasoning. This is where the fish fillet will be placed for half or one hour. The longer they are left to sit the more taste will seep into the fillets.

The fish fillets are then covered with Bajan seasonings before coating with breadcrumbs, which undergo a separate preparation. To prepare the breadcrumbs, you will need to add flour, white pepper, salt and paprika. Some people opt to add dried herbs and garlic for an even better taste.

For frying, canola or olive oil is used since they are believed to be healthier. The flying fish fillets are then fried with the skin side up.

Bajan Fish Cakes

Fish cakes are popular for use at dinner parties in Barbados as well as a quick takeaway food sold at many beaches and festive local events.

Fish cakes are prepared using boneless fish, most often cod fish. The fish is first salted by placing it in a pan of water and boiled for half an hour. This process is repeated using a new batch of water until the fish is at the desired saltiness. The fish is then shredded or flaked.

Chopped onion and garlic, pepper sauce, flour, baking powder, egg, milk, water, butter, parsley, and white and black pepper are then mixed and stirred in a bowl. This is done until a thick batter is formed. The shredded fish is then added to the mixture. Small amounts of batter are quickly deeply fried until golden brown in very hot oil. It is common to find fish cakes served Bajan hot sauce.