Turks & Caicos is another country in the Caribbean. It is called such not for the familiar term of “Turks” as in those in the Middle East, but for the combination of a native cactus and an indigenous phrase. Turks is named after the Turk’s head cactus, while Caicos is derived from the Lucayan Taíno phrase “caya hico,” which means a “string of islands” or "chain of islands.”
When you wish to visit Turks & Caicos, know that December and April offer the finest weather, and for the life of the party, December brings in the Maskanoo and Junkanoo Festivals. Head over to Grace Bay for powdery sands, and go snorkeling at Bight Reef’s turtles and stingrays. The cuisine of Turks & Caicos is also worth trying.
Turks and Caicos cuisine celebrates fresh seafood, especially conch, lobster, and fish. Influenced by Caribbean and African traditions, dishes feature rice, peas, tropical fruits, spices, and flavorful island cooking techniques. And, you don’t really need to be personally in Turks & Caicos to try the recipes. Grubhub is an app where you can order ingredients to these recipes, so you can make them at-home. Here are the best recipes in Turks & Caicos!
Conch Salad
This conch salad is an undisputed Turks & Caicos classic. This light and refreshing food is the soul of every Turks & Caicos cuisine.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh conch, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup sour orange juice (or additional lime juice)
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, finely minced (optional for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Directions:
Using a big bowl, combine the conch, bell peppers, onion, and tomatoes. Then, pour in the orange, lime, and sour orange juices, stirring them well. Then, add your Scotch bonnet pepper for that spicy kick.
After which, season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for at the minimum 30 minutes before you serve it fresh, fresh, fresh! Be sure to garnish with fresh cilantro and it’s best tasted chilled.
Grilled Spiny Lobster with Mango Salsa
The spiny lobster is the gem of Caribbean cuisine. It is a tropical delight, and a must-try when you wish to experience Turks and Caicos flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 fresh spiny lobster tails
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 ripe mango, diced
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tbsp. honey
Directions:
Start by pre-heating your grill to medium-high heat. Once done, or while doing this, brush the lobster tails with olive oil, seasoning it with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Then, grill the lobster tails shell-side down for around seven minutes until you notice the meat becomes opaque and tender. Using a separate bowl, mix your mango, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and honey. Serve grilled with a generous topping of mango salsa. Yum, yum, yum!