ESSENTIAL MUST-TRY FOODS IN BELIZE

BY ALI WUNDERMAN

ESSENTIAL MUST-TRY FOODS IN BELIZE MAKE SURE YOU BRING A BIG APPETITE TO THIS SMALL, YET FLAVOR-PACKED, COUNTRY

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. 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.

STEW CHICKEN

Served up alongside the equallyubiquitous rice and beans, stew chicken – Belizean Kriol for stewed chicken – is considered the country’s national dish. To make it, tender chunks of chicken are stewed slowly alongside spices, onion, garlic, ginger, and a myriad of other fresh ingredients, resulting in a hearty meal you’ll find on just about every menu.

LIONFISH

The beautiful Belize Barrier Reef is a perfect home for tropical fish, which unfortunately has come to include the insatiable and invasive lionfish. With no natural predators and an impressive breeding speed, it has wreaked havoc on Caribbean waters since 2008, causing problems for the ecosystem and those who depend on it. Fortunately, the solution is a delicious one. “By eating lionfish you aren’t just enjoying a fresh local catch, you are helping Belize to control our the local lionfish population and protect its reefs,” explains Dasha Shivers, managing director at Ray Caye Island Resort. Head to restaurants along the coast to try exotic dish with this tasty fish.

HUDUT

In Southern Belize, the Garifuna people frequently eat and serve hudut, a traditional meal consisting of fish cooked in coconut broth served alongside mashed plantains called fufu. Local herbs and spices make hudut stand out from other similar dishes from around the world, as well as the fact that it’s closely tied to one of Belize’s most unique cultures. Head to seaside village of Hopkins to sample this delicious dish.

TAMALES

Wrapped in hand-ground corn and filled with chicken, tamales are a Belizean staple, tasting like a Yucatan version of what is typically found in Mexico. “People in Belize get up at the crack of dawn to make tamales,” says Tanya McNab of the Belizean site CaribbeanLifestyle.com, though she explains they are more typically consumed for lunch. The most famous – and arguably best – place to try them is at Miss Bertha’s Tamales on the Hummingbird Highway. Add a little homemade hot sauce and this dish will not easily be forgotten.

GARNACHES

This popular street food can be found at the other end of someone calling out, “Three for a dollar!” Garnaches are crispy corn tortillas covered with refried beans and Dutch cheese. A big debate among Belizeans is whether they are better with ketchup or salsa on top, though in both cases it’s common to add onion sauce, too.

Belizean Habanero Sauce Recipe

The Belizeans have created a very distinctive style of sauce which is characterized by the addition of carrots. If you can get organic, or even better homegrown then the carrot influence will be all the more pronounced.

1 small onion – chopped

2 cloves garlic – chopped

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup chopped carrots

2 cups water

4 scotch bonnet or habanero peppers, seeded and fine chopped

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

3 tablespoons white vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

Remove stems and seeds from peppers. Take the necessary precautions when handling hot peppers.

Sauté onion and garlic in oil until soft but not browned. Add carrots and water. Bring to boil, reduce heat, add vinegar and simmer until the carrots are soft. Remove from heat. Add chilies, lime juice, and salt to the carrot mixture. Place in processor and purée until smooth.

Put into sterilized jars and refrigerate.