Don't Like Spicy Food? Order These Caribbean Dishes At A Restaurant
Ordering at a Caribbean restaurant can be a bit of a challenge if you're not overly familiar with this cuisine. If you don't like spicy foods, you may struggle even more since many of the dishes contain quite a bit of spice. What can you order that won't leave your taste buds sweating? Here are some top options.
Conch Fritters
If you like seafood, treat yourself to a platter of conch fritters. They are sometimes intended to be enjoyed as an appetizer, but there's really no reason why you can't eat them as an entree. Conch fritters are made from the conch, which is a sea-dwelling creature halfway between a clam and a snail. The conches are battered in a delicious batter seasoned with celery, onion, and bell pepper, and then fried to perfection. They're flavorful, but not spicy.
Mofongo
A Puerto Rican specialty, mofongo is a delicious creation made from plantains and pork rinds. The plantains are mashed up and fried, and then they are mixed with crumbled, crispy pork rinds and plenty of garlic. Mofongo is often served alongside a bowl of chicken or vegetable broth. You take a bite of the mofongo, dip it in the stock, and enjoy.
Ackee and Saltfish
Ackee is a yellow fruit similar to a jackfruit. It becomes soft when cooked and has a flavor similar to honey. This fruit is often stewed with saltfish, resulting in a delicious meal. Served over rice, ackee and saltfish is flavored with onions and various spices. While it might have a hint of spice, it is not an overly spicy dish. The combination of the flaky texture from the fish and the creamy texture from the ackee makes for an enjoyable eating experience.
Flying Fish and Cou-Cou
Flying fish are a pretty common catch in the Caribbean, especially in Barbados where this dish is very traditional. Cou-cou is a grain dish similar to polenta. Traditionally, the dish is stewed with tomatoes, onions, thyme, and other herbs to create a balanced, succulent flavor. Then, it is served over a bowl of lightly seasoned cou-cou, which absorbs the sauces from the stewed fish.
If you don't like spice, don't worry. Although spice is a hallmark element of many Caribbean dishes, there are some options that are not traditionally spicy. Stick with the options above, and talk to your server if you need any additional recommendations for dining in a Caribbean restaurant. Consider trying one of these or different dishes from a Caribbean food delivery service.