Byplusroi

Caribbean Favorite Foods for Christmas

Recipes to Celebrate the Holiday Season in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The white stuff under your feet isn’t snow but sand.
That whirring engine is the ceiling fan and not the snow blower.
And Santa? Well he’s wearing sandals.

It’s Christmas in the Turks and Caicos Islands! While it might not be a typical holiday card setting, there’s no doubt that the passion that goes into creating Caribbean favorite foods for Christmas is just as strong as in other parts of the world.

Regardless of what the menu features, the process of preparing it all represents a labour of love in the kitchen. Cooks create their cuisine based on many details that have been shared from generation to generation.

christmas in the Caribbean

Appetizers

You’ll usually find one item on any Turks and Caicos festive menu: conch (pronounced conk). This sea snail delicacy is prepared a wide variety of ways as a soup, salad or entree. The meat of the conch can be pounded into thin pieces, coated and deep fried to make Cracked Conch. Or it can be chopped up, mixed into a seasoned batter then deep fried to create Conch Fritters.

One delicious recipe for conch is featured here:

Cracked Conch

  • Pounded conch, very thin
  • 2 eggs
  • Milk
  • All purpose flour
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chilli powder or other spice
  • Lemon, if desired

Directions
Heat oil in pan. Add salt, pepper and spices to flour. Dip pounded conch in beaten eggs, then flour on both sides. Place in oil, just one minute on each side. Squeeze fresh lemon, if desired. Serve with tarter or cocktail sauce.

Conch Recipes Turks and Caicos

Sides

Islanders typically celebrate the December festive season with fish, chicken or baked ham entrees served with local vegetables. Steaming spicy jerk chicken, fried or steamed salt fish, and aromatic baked ham are all Christmas favourites here in the islands. But what’s served on the side is very different from the mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts you see on North American dining tables. Grits using either peas or dried conch, colourful plantains, candied yams, potato salad and peas ‘n rice usually accompany the main entrees. Sweet and savoury flavours fuse together like in this recipe for Coconut Rice and Peas from Caribbean Food Made Easy by Levi Roots.

Coconut Rice and Peas

  • 150g long grain rice
  • 200ml coconut milk
  • 300ml water
  • 1 spring onion
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 large onion, finely diced
  • 1 can of black beans, drained
  • a tbsp of butter

Directions

  • Put all the ingredients in a pot (except the rice) and heat to a boil.
  • Let simmer, covered for 15 minutes.
  • Add rice.
  • Bring back up to a boil, then lower heat and let rice cook for another 15-20 minutes until done.

Caribbean rum punch recipe

Spirits

Any Christmas occasion in the Turks and Caicos Islands isn’t complete without a traditional Rum Punch to quench your thirst. The tangy taste of citrus blends with the smooth spice of the rum to precede or accent any festive feast. This festive recipe comes from Captain Bill who is the smiling face behind the Villa del Mar Tiki Bar. It features the award winning Bambarra Rum produced on the island.

Rum Punch
To make 1 litre of Villa del Mar Rum Punch:

  • 8oz Bambarra rum
  • 2oz coconut rum
  • 50% orange juice
  • 50% pineapple juice
  • grenadine to taste
  • splash of club soda
  • Myers Dark Rum on top (splash)
  • Cherries, orange slices and pineapple wedges

Mixing Instructions

  • Combine the fruit juice and Babarra rum and coconut rum
  • Slowly pour dash of grenadine in glass for dual color
  • Float the Myers Dark Rum on top
  • Garnish with cherry, orange and pineapple
  • …don’t forget the “fancy little umbrellas”. Raise your glass with a toast!

Cheers and Season’s Greetings from the tropical shores of Turks and Caicos Islands!