Caribbean Snacks

Tostones is a traditional side dish that's popular throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in Puerto Rico. Unlike platanos fritos, where only ripe plantains are used, tostones are made with unripe, hard, very green plantains. They a... READ MORE

Although pies filled with meat are popular in many countries throughout the world as a great way to turn cheap cuts of meat into savory bites and making sure that no food goes to waste, Jamaican meat patties are enhanced with unique African and In... READ MORE

Stamp and go is a Jamaican road snack consisting of fritters usually made with salt cod, although callaloo, ackee, and conch are also often used in the preparation. It can be consumed for breakfast or as an appetizer. The dish is traditionally acc... READ MORE

Doubles is a staple of Trini street food, a sandwich that consists of two fried flatbreads (bara) filled with curried chickpeas (curry channa). It is believed that doubles were invented in 1936 in Princes Town, and nowadays they ... READ MORE

Arañitas are a Puerto Rican specialty consisting of shredded and fried plantains. The name of the dish is derived from the eponymous Spanish word, meaning little spiders, referring to the visual appearance of this crispy dish. It i... READ MORE

These Haitian delicacies consist of puff pastry that is shaped into small squares and filled with various types of meat such as beef, chicken, pork, or even fish. They are regularly served at numerous special events and celebrations, but Haitian p... READ MORE

Bake and shark is a unique Trini street food item that is especially popular at concerts, festivals, and celebrations. It consists of marinated or seasoned pieces of shark meat, sauces, chutneys, and vegetables in a flatbread known as bakeREAD MORE

Alcapurria is a Puerto Rican snack made with grated green bananas or taro root (or a combination of both) that are stuffed with meat, then fried. The stuffing is usually picadillo – spiced ground beef with tomatoes. If made with gra... READ MORE

Barriguitas de vieja (lit. old lady bellies) are Puerto Rican pumpkin fritters that are usually made with roasted kabocha squash, flour, eggs, sugar, and spices. The combination is spooned into hot oil and fried until it floats to the surface and ... READ MORE

Pastechi is a traditional breakfast that can also be served as a snack, consisting of deep-fried, crescent-shaped dough filled with a variety of ingredients such as chicken, beef, tuna, vegetables, or cheese. The key ingredient is usually combined... READ MORE

Aloo pie is a Trini dish consisting of fried dough that is filled with mashed potatoes which are flavored with onions, garlic, cumin, and bandhania. It can often be bought at food stands which sell another Trini favorite known as doubles.... READ MORE

Pholourie is a Trini appetizer or a snack that is traditionally prepared and served at religious gatherings or birthday parties. This fritter is made with a split pea batter that is seasoned with hot peppers and various spices. The batter is dropp... READ MORE

Yaniqueque or yanikeke is a Dominican fried bread with a crispy and crunchy texture. It is made with flour, salt, melted butter, and baking powder. The dough is rolled into thin circles with crimped edges, and it is then fried in hot oil ... READ MORE

Bulla cake has a round and flat shape, and it is made with flour, molasses, and baking powder. It can be either light- or dark-colored and is often spiced with ginger or nutmeg. The cake first appeared in the 19th century and from the 1980s it&rsq... READ MORE

Peanut drops are popular Jamaican snacks made by boiling roasted peanuts and minced ginger in water with brown sugar. The peanuts are boiled until the water evaporates and the sugar becomes sticky like caramel. Peanut drops are left to cool and ha... READ MORE

Toto is a popular Jamaican cake consisting of flour, sugar, grated coconut, eggs, milk, butter, and flavorings such as allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. There are some variations on the recipe, so many people like to add raisins and rum into the... READ MORE

Baiganee is a classic Trini snack that can also be served as a side dish. This vegetarian treat consists of sliced eggplant or baigan (hence the name) that is coated in a spicy batter, then deep-fried to golden-brown perfection. It is typ... READ MORE

Achingly sweet, extra hard, dense, and crunchy, benne balls are popular Tobagonian treats made with brown sugar and benne, which is an African word for sesame seeds. These treats are extremely simple to prepare - brown sugar is h... READ MORE

Accra is a traditional fritter that is usually made with black-eyed peas, scallions, onions, garlic, bell peppers, chili peppers, eggs, flour, baking powder, and malanga – a nutty-flavored root that is closely linked to cassava and ... READ MORE

Saheena is a Trini specialty consisting of flour, split peas powder, saffron, baking powder, and salt. The ingredients are mixed together into a paste which is then placed on taro leaves. The process is repeated and the taro leaves are rolled toge... READ MORE

Ducana is a dessert dish that is popular on the Caribbean islands of Antigua, Montserrat and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The dish is a type of dumpling made with coconut and sweet potatoes, often cooked in banana leaves. It is usually served w... READ MORE

Solomon Gundy is a popular Jamaican fish pâté made with smoked red herring or mackerel combined with hot peppers, onions, and spices. The dish is traditionally served with crackers as an appetizer or a snack. It is recommended to pair... READ MORE

Tentalaria di cashupete is a traditional sweet originating from Curaçao. It's made with a combination of cashew nuts, water, and sugar. The cashews are blended into a purée, then slowly mixed with a combination of boiling sugar and w... READ MORE

Bolita di keshi is a popular Aruban snack that is especially beloved by children who consume it as a snack. Because it is quite easy to prepare, bolita di keshi is an ideal dish for parties and family reunions. This flavorful, but highly caloric a... READ MORE

Kachourie is a Trini variation of a popular Indian snack. The flattened ball of dough consists of flour, channa, split peas, and seasonings such as salt, black pepper, turmeric, and chili powder. These dough balls are then fried in oil until golde... READ MORE

Cala is a spicy snack that is also called "an edible souvenir of Aruba". It is a traditional fritter made with black-eyed peas and Madame Jeanette hot peppers. Crispy on the exterior and light on the interior, cala is a hearty and savory tidbit of... READ MORE

Breadfruit balls is a traditional snack originating from St. Lucia, but it's also popular in Dominica. It's usually made with a combination of breadfruit, onions, garlic, parsley, celery, breadcrumbs, eggs, grated cheese, and salt. The breadfruit ... READ MORE

Spiced yucca chips is an Aruban snack made with thinly sliced yucca, a root that is rich in fiber and carbohydrates along with being a good alternative to potato chips. Since Arubans like their food spicy, yucca chips are usually fried in hot oil ... READ MORE