© ALI WUNDERMAN
CEVICHE
FRY JACKS
ESSENTIAL MUST-TRY FOODS IN BELIZE MAKE SURE YOU BRING A BIG APPETITE TO THIS SMALL, YET FLAVOR-PACKED, COUNTRY
There are certain staples found throughout the country, while other dishes are at their best when served closest to the ingredients and their origins. But with so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know exactly what to eat. To help visitors on their culinary journey of Central America’s only English-speaking country, consider this list of essential dishes everyone should try when visiting Belize.
CEVICHE Fresh seafood, chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice – ceviche in Belize has it all. Though not necessarily a Belizean dish originally, the country has made it their own with local ingredients and flavors. Ceviche is an excellent vessel for sampling some of the country’s most famous seafood, including conch and spiny lobster, depending on what is in season. FRY JACKS Ask just about any local, regular visitor, or even first-timer what is the one absolute must try in Belize, and the answer will undoubtedly be fry jacks. These fried pockets of dough are not particularly hard to make, but they take skill and experience to perfect. Made using the same ingredients as flour tortillas, fry jacks are typically cut into triangles before being tossed into ultra hot oil until they puff up and turn golden brown. Then they can be filled either with savory ingredients like refried beans and cheese, or enjoyed as a sweet indulgence with jam or honey. Either way, you will be wanting more.
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Despite its diminutive size, Belize packs a huge punch when it comes to food. The gastronomy can generally be described as Caribbean-meets-Central America, but it also features plenty of flavors reflecting the country’s Maya, Mestizo, and even Lebanese populations. Thanks to its abundant coastline, plus healthy pockets of productive agriculture, access to fresh, diverse ingredients is standard at eateries throughout Belize.
BY ALI WUNDERMAN
