Antigua and Barbuda: 4 Must-Try Foods When You Visit the 'Land of 365 Beaches'

By BERT HOOVER (staff@latinpost.com) First Posted: Jul 09, 2023 03:30 AM EDT

Exploring the local cuisine of Antigua and Barbuda provides a delightful opportunity to discover the island's unique flavors and culinary heritage. (Photo : DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Antigua and Barbuda, with its vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty, offers an enticing array of local foods that truly reflect the spirit and flavors of the Caribbean.

Exploring the culinary scene of these islands presents an opportunity to indulge in a rich tapestry of tastes and traditions.

While exploring the captivating sights of the port of call, embarking on rainforest canopy tours, or leisurely strolling along the pristine white beaches, indulge in the delectable local cuisine during your visit to Antigua and Barbuda.

These Antigua and Barbuda foods are guaranteed to satiate your palate, uplift your spirits, and create enduring memories of the Land of 365 Beaches as an unforgettable destination.

Conch

The conch, renowned for its captivating spiral shell that has graced the screens of numerous pirate movies and seafaring tales, possesses more than just aesthetic appeal, according to Carnival.

This elegant shellfish takes on a distinct character in Antigua and Barbuda, making it a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

Harvested from the warm waters surrounding the island, Antigua's conch boasts a delightful sweetness and a unique texture that falls somewhere between clams and calamari.

With its local abundance, conch finds its way into various delectable preparations, such as chowders, curries, ceviches, or even transformed into crispy fritters through battering and frying.

However, on a sun-kissed day in Antigua, it's difficult to resist the allure of a light and refreshing conch ceviche, perfectly complemented by a cool and refreshing beverage.

Fungee and Pepperpot

While pepperpot is a well-known dish throughout the Caribbean, the Land of 365 Beaches' version of this culinary delight stands apart from the rest.

In fact, Antigua and Barbuda proudly claims fungee and pepperpot as their national dish, a culinary gem that can be savored across the entire island.

Despite their seemingly disparate nature, the marriage of fungee, a cornmeal-based creation infused with okra, and pepperpot, a hearty stew, achieves a harmonious blend that epitomizes tropical perfection.

Black Pudding

Black pudding, also known as rice pudding, presents a unique culinary experience that deviates from the traditional understanding of a dessert-like pudding.

Instead, black pudding refers to a sausage that combines a blend of distinctive herbs, spices, and blood, often incorporating rice and/or potatoes, Chef's Pencil noted.

Encased within animal intestines, typically derived from cows, pigs, or goats, this savory creation has gained popularity among British tourists and holds a prominent place in Caribbean cuisine, albeit under various regional names.

Ducuna

Adding raisins to ducuna, a traditional Antigua and Barbuda food, sparks lively local debates.

Despite the raisin controversy, ducuna is widely acknowledged for its exceptional flavor and remarkable satiating qualities.

This vegetarian dish has gained recognition for its versatility, as it can be enjoyed in various forms.

Ducuna can be served hot as a flavorful side dish, chilled to create a delectable dessert, or thinly sliced and fried to perfection as a delightful snack.

Often likened to a dumpling, ducuna is prepared using grated sweet potato, coconut, and pumpkin, combined with a medley of aromatic seasonings such as cinnamon.

The mixture is then encased in a banana leaf and boiled, akin to the Mexican tamale cooking method, until it achieves a desirable firmness and consistency.