How to Eat Like a Local

The foodie tours in Philadelphia always include a cheesesteak sandwich, you’ll find no shortage of guacamole while in Mexico, and crepes are a staple in Paris.

St. John cuisine is influenced by a diverse history of indigenous Arawak Indian, European, Dutch, French and African cultures. Blend all of these together, and you’ll discover a wide array of flavors. Here are some of our favorites:

• Saltfish, or shredded salt cod, is a staple throughout the Caribbean that provides flavor to simple dishes.

• Kallaloo soup consists of leaves from the dasheen plant mixed with okra, herbs and various meats or seafood.

• Fungi (foon-gee) is cornmeal that is boiled with okra and typically eaten with saltfish or boiled fish.

• Roti is a popular Indo-Trinidadian dish of curried vegetables and meat wrapped and fried in a paper-thin dough.

• Pate are essentially roti, minus the curry seasoning.

• Bush tea is a general term for any herbs infused as tea which may include lemongrass, sage, mint or even soursop leaves.

• Johnnycakes, also referred to as heaven on a plate, are fried pastries eaten with any meal; most traditionally with fried chicken.

• Dumb bread is cleverly made by placing hot coals under and over a round loaf inside a skillet; often sweetened with shredded coconut or filled with cheddar cheese.

• Provisions refer to root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, calabash pumpkin, yuca (cassava), green papaya, breadfruit, okra and peas.

• Bullfoot soup is simply bull’s feet stewed with provisions in a spicy, rich broth.

• Sorrel refers to an edible West Indian hibiscus seed pod typically served as a tea.

• Plantains are cousins to the banana but taste more like a starchy vegetable. You may see them fried, mashed, boiled, stewed, baked or grilled.

• Goat water isn’t really water at all. It’s a robust, brown stew which is unusually often consumed for breakfast.

• Whelks and rice, considered a delicacy, are large snails sizzled in garlic butter and folded into fluffy white rice.

There’s no such thing as fast food on St. John, though there are plenty of traditional choices along with local fare. To experience rich island culture, sample a bit of island cuisine on your next visit. Who knows, goat water may become your preferred morning cup of joe.