Saint Lucian Cuisine

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Overview of Saint Lucian Cuisine History
At the beginning of the sixteenth century, St. Lucia was first sighted by European explorers and only after more that a hundred years, a French colony was established on the island. Early immigrants to St. Lucia were Carib people and the Amerindian Arawak. 1979 represents an important phase of St. Lucia’s history as it represents the year when it became independent. Throughout the history, St. Lucia’s cuisine has been influenced by French, West Indian and Creole food, and its most popular dishes are pepper pot stew, callaloo and fried jackfish. Shellfish and fish are a daily dish, as well as vegetables like cassava, dasheen or taro, and sweet potatoes. As far as fruits are concerned, this category includes coconuts, bananas, mangoes, papayas, pineapples, guavas, passion fruit, and soursop. As for alcoholic drinks, St. Lucian people usually have beer and rum.

Cuisines of St Lucia


The volcanic and fertile soil of St. Lucia provides great conditions and it yields an enormous supply of produce. The island is also one of the main banana exporters in the Caribbean. Except bananas, St. Lucia’s abundant tropical fruits include papayas, coconuts, mangoes, pineapples, passion fruits, guavas, and soursops. Local St. Lucian chefs use a combination of fresh produce and a great variety of fresh seafood in order to prepare Creole-style entrees, curries, and pepperpot stews. The national St. Lucian dish is callaloo soup which consists of a leafy green resembling spinach. Being a rich cultural heritage, St. Lucia’s cuisine is given a great importance.

Preparation Methods for Saint Lucian Cooking
St. Lucian cuisine uses elements from various cooking traditions borrowed from their neighbours and developed from their own traditional dishes. While there are no specific or unique preparation methods for St. Lucian cooking, we should point out that attention to detail is important in the St. Lucian cuisine. Using the right amount of spices for example is essential - either for spicing up the taste or for coloring the dish. The diversity of vegetables and cereals found in St. Lucia is also noticed in the delicious dishes belonging to their cuisine. The visual attractiveness of the dish is also important, and a balance between colors and proportion differentiates. Each traditional dish has a special cooking method, which is more or less general in all of St. Lucia's regions. Meat is one of the main elements of most St. Lucian dishes and cured and smoked hams are often parts of delicious dishes.

Special Equipment for Saint Lucian Cooking
Ranging from cake pans, can openers, colanders, egg rings, poachers and holders, food dishers & portioners, food pans & food containers to other kitchen utensils, such as food scales, food scoops and fryer baskets & accessories, the St. Lucian cuisine needs a diverse cooking equipment set in order to produce the most sophisticated St. Lucian dishes. You should consider insulated food carriers if you are transporting the food and a full set of kitchen linens and uniforms if you wish to look like a pro. Here are a few other items that will come handy while cooking St. Lucian food: juicers, kitchen knives, kitchen slicers, kitchen thermometers, measuring cups & measuring spoons, miscellaneous utensils, mixing bowls and skimmers & strainers. Essential utensils like serving spoons, spatulas, forks, turners, scrapers and tongs should also be part of your cooking "arsenal".

Saint Lucian Food Traditions and Festivals
The St. Lucian year is marked by several festive events like Carnival and Calypso celebrations, or street parties. One of the most important events is St. Lucia Jazz Festival that takes place every year, between the May 8th-11th. These are great occasions to have Pitons which is beer, and Bounty or rum. Food is meant to bring people together, but it also means sharing. Fruits seem to be the most delicious and healthy food in St. Lucia, as well as fresh vegetables. One should never forget about St. Lucia’s national dish, callaloo soup made from a leafy green similar to spinach and this is because the island’s cuisine has gained international recognition.

People in Saint Lucian Food
There are many chefs who creatively use the basic ingredients and cooking method for traditional St. Lucian dishes and create original and delicious food variations. St. Lucian chefs are passionate about their traditional dishes and they enjoy presenting them to foreigners who have never tasted them before. Whether they are cooking dishes that go back in time for centuries or brand new, modern dishes, St. Lucian chefs take pride in what they do, and this is readily noticeable in the unforgettable taste of their cooking.
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