Bajan Food Favourites: 6 Traditional Caribbean Recipes from Farm to Fork

Beyond the picturesque beaches and lush landscapes of Barbados lies a treasure trove of culinary riches, rooted deeply in the island's soil and seas. From the buzzing of local beehives and the fresh catches of the surrounding waters, to the acres of fruit trees and vegetables grown from the ground, the island cultivates a rich tapestry of ingredients that are the cornerstone of traditional Caribbean food. An ethos of environmental stewardship and culinary excellence is seen across Barbados, where crops are lovingly tended and harvested, and where the authenticity of a dish is powered by its local ingredients. 

And here at Apes Hill, we have embraced and extended this tradition. From our 30 beehives and fresh sea catches, to our 17 acres of fruit trees and herb gardens, the land and surrounding waters of Apes Hill offer a vibrant mosaic of flavours, bringing to life the essence of Caribbean food culture. We grow and harvest weekly crops and use the ingredients grown in our kitchens in our farm-to-fork initiative, allowing us to harmoniously blend sustainability with the fresh and vivacious tastes of the Caribbean. 

Though it isn’t quite the same as eating them here on the island, below are our top 6 recipes using ingredients grown in Barbados to make when you’re yearning for a hint of the Caribbean away from our shores.

Bananas are widely grown in the Caribbean and have been a staple food for centuries. As a result, banana fritters have been created - a delightful treat that melds the rich heritage of the Caribbean with its African roots. 

Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients
3 ripe bananas
3 Tbsp brown sugar
½ Tsp cinnamon
¼ Tsp nutmeg
1 Tsp vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
1 cup all purpose flour
Oil for frying

Method

• Mash bananas with a fork in a bowl.
• Add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt.
• Sift in the flour and stir until fully combined.
• Add the oil to a skillet over medium-high heat, and once the oil is hot, drop the fritter batter in by a spoon, one by one.
• As each turns golden, flip over and cook until both sides are the same.
• Remove from the skillet, drain and enjoy hot or cold!

Drawing on Barbados' rich legacy as the birthplace of rum and its pivotal role in the island's economy and tourism, this Caribbean coffee recipe combines two of the region's celebrated ingredients—rum and coffee—for a uniquely flavorful beverage.

Total Time: 8 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients
140ml hot coffee
15ml spiced rum
15ml Kahlua
15ml brandy

Method

• Rim glass with sugar
• Pour hot coffee into glass
• Add remaining ingredients
• Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon, and enjoy!

Conkies, a traditional Bajan dish steeped in cultural heritage, combine cornmeal, coconut, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes, wrapped up in banana leaves. This cherished recipe, which reflects the profound African influence on Barbadian culture, is particularly celebrated around Barbados' Independence Day, symbolizing the island's rich history and national pride.

Total Time: 2 hours
Serves: 10-12 

Ingredients
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup grated coconut
1 cup pumpkin, grated
1 cup sweet potato, grated
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 Tsp salt
1 Tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 Tsp grated nutmeg
1/2 Tsp mixed spice
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 cup coconut milk
1 Tsp almond essence
Banana leaves (for wrapping)

Method

• Prepare the Leaves: Start by cleaning the banana leaves and trimming any hard veins. Briefly pass them over an open flame or steam them until they are soft and pliable. Cut into pieces large enough to wrap the mixture.
• Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, grated coconut, grated pumpkin, sweet potato, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mixed spice. Mix well to ensure even distribution of the spices.
• Combine the Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter, milk, and almond essence to the dry ingredients. Mix until you have a moist, firm batter.
• Wrap the Conkies: Place a couple of spoonfuls of the mixture onto the center of each banana leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf over the mixture, then fold the ends to create a sealed packet. Secure with kitchen twine if necessary.
• Steam the Conkies: Place the wrapped conkies in a steamer or a large pot over a rack with water just below the rack level.
• Cover and steam for about 1 to 1.5 hours. Make sure the water doesn’t dry out, adding more as needed.
• Cool and Serve: Remove the conkies from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes.
• Unwrap and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Introduced to the Caribbean in the late 18th century by Captain William Bligh, breadfruit has since become a staple, symbolizing sustenance and the rich, intertwined histories of the islands. This recipe celebrates breadfruit's role in Caribbean culture, art, and folklore.

Total Time: 1 hour 
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients
1 whole breadfruit
2 Tbsp of olive oil or melted butter
Salt (to taste)
Optional: garlic powder, black pepper, herbs (such as thyme or rosemary)

Method

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Wash the breadfruit thoroughly. Cut off the stem and base, and score the skin in a few places to allow steam to escape during cooking.
• Roast the Breadfruit: Place the breadfruit on a baking sheet. Brush the entire surface with olive oil or melted butter, and sprinkle with salt. If desired, you can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, black pepper, and herbs.
• Roast in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the skin is golden brown and slightly puffed. The inside should be soft and fully cooked through.
• Remove the breadfruit from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes until it is safe to handle.
• Cut into wedges or slices and serve warm.
• Breadfruit can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish with dips, stews, or other main courses.

In Barbados, the Christmas feast shines with the sweet richness of honey glazed ham, a beloved dish that highlights the local importance of Bajan bees whose honey adds a unique Caribbean flair to this festive favorite. 

Total Time: 2.5 hours

Ingredients
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup pineapple juice
¼ cup whole cloves
1 Tbsp dry mustard
1 (4.5 pound) butt-end smoked ham
1 (15.25 ounce) can pineapple rings, drained
1 (4 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained

Method

• Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C)
• Whisk pineapple juice, brown sugar, and dry mustard in a bowl until brown sugar has dissolved.
• Place ham in a baking dish (with cut side down) and arrange pineapple rings and cherries onto it
• Push the cloves into ham and baste ham and fruit with pineapple juice glaze.
• Bake in the oven until glaze has baked onto ham, and baste with glaze every 30 minutes.
• Turn on the oven’s broiler - broil the ham until the glaze forms a crust (about 5 minutes).
• Take out and let cool
• Serve as desired!

Saltbread, a staple of Bajan cuisine, serves as the perfect base for cutters—versatile sandwiches traditionally filled with ingredients like fish, cheese, ham, and egg. Here’s a simple recipe for salt bread, and add the filling of your choice!

Serves: 12 rolls
Total Time: 2.5 hours

Ingredients
6 and 1/2 cups of white flour
Two Tsp of white granulated sugar
One Tsp salt
Two Tbsp of vegetable oil
Two packs of yeast
2 and 1/4 cups of warm water

Method

• Sift half of the flour, mix with salt and yeast in a large mixing bowl, and slowly add warm water until the mixture forms a stiff dough.
• Add more flour until you have a stiff enough dough to knead.
• Lightly flour the work surface, knead the dough for 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic, and then place it in a greased bowl.
• Place the bowl aside in a warm space for 40-50 minutes until it has doubled and preheat the oven to 425°F or 220°C.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal portions, roll each into a fist size ball, and place on a greased baking sheet. Place in your warm place again for a further 40 minutes or again until the dough has doubled in size.
• Put in the oven and bake for 25-30mins until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Mixing up these Caribbean-inspired dishes at home doesn’t quite capture the same magic as enjoying them on the islands, sun beaming down. So why not make Barbados your next culinary adventure? If you love seafood as much as you savor exotic flavors, Apes Hill offers a delightful gastronomic experience. We’d love to share more about this tantalising destination. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us today.