Food in Trinidad and Tobago

Curried, stewed, or grilled foods are popular in Trinidad and Tobago. Throughout Trinidad and Tobago, local merchants sell a variety of fish and seafood, including flying fish, king fish, carite, prawns, sapatay, red fish, shrimp, bonito, lobster, conch and crab, tilapia, and seasonal cascadura.

Pholourie is a popular Trini appetizer or snack that is offered during religious meetings or birthday festivities. A split pea batter is used to make this fritter, which is seasoned with spicy peppers and other spices. The batter is placed into hot oil and cooked until a golden brown hue appears. Pholouries are also available in a number of bakeries around the island. Typically, the snacks are served with sauces or chutneys on the side.

A classic meal from Trinidad and Tobago is curried crab with dumplings. The crabs are washed, then immersed in lime water for a few minutes before being drained. Celery, pimento peppers, onions, garlic, and chives are then added to the mix. After marinating the crabs, combine them with curry powder paste, coconut milk, and spicy peppers in a saucepan. Flour, grated cassava, sugar, salt, and water are combined to make the dumplings. They're also put to the saucepan with the crab, and the sauce is simmered until it thickens. Curried crab and dumplings are served in the same bowl with plenty of sauce once they've been made.