Cuisine of Grenada

Like many other West Indian culinary traditions, the indigenous cuisine of Grenada is centred around fresh seafood, tubers like potatoes & manioc as well as rice. The Grenadian culinary history begins in the early 1600s, when initial European and African settlements began to emerge on the southern Windward Isles.

Heavily influenced by French, English, African and West Indian food traditions, most Grenadian preparations are laced with spices, bay leaves, nutmegs, capsicum, pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. The locals prefer chicken-, fish-, barbecue-, crab-, callaloo-, sweet potato-, peas & rice-, vegetable- & fruit-based dishes; and a regional favourite is the Grenadian Stew, usually served with rice and exotic vegetables.

The national dish of Grenada, however, is Ile dung/Oil down, a concoction of dasheen leaves, breadfruit, root vegetables, salted pork, cooked in coconut milk and spices. Stewed pork & beef, steamed fish, black pudding and salted fish souse also count among popular dishes.

Common Grenadian vegetables include potatoes, tannia, eddoe, yam, plantains, and of course, the widely available bananas; special reference must be made in this regard to Christophene, a pear-shaped vegetable, and coocoo, a dish made from corn. The rich diversity of locally grown vegetables and cereals of Grenada is discernible in its selection of yummy delicacies.

Grenadians attach considerable importance to the presentation or the visual appeal of a dish, i.e., the balance between colour and the portion served. To dish up a really good meal, they use a multitude of cookery gadgets, ranging from cake pans, can openers, colanders, egg rings, poachers and holders, food dishers & portioners, food pans & food containers to other kitchen utensils, such as food scales, food scoops and fryer baskets & accessories.

Christmas, New Year, Easter, Corpus Christi, Thanksgiving and Boxing Day are special occasions when Grenadians prepare and serve wide quantities of food and  drink. The International Food & Drink festival of Grenada is held in March every year, when people can sample foods of all nationalities residing in Grenada.