Cooking And Serving Terms You May See In A Caribbean Restaurant Menu
When browsing the menu at a Caribbean restaurant, you will often see dishes listed with descriptions that tell you what ingredients are used to prepare them. But what may still be unclear are some of the terms used to describe how the dishes are prepared and served. Understanding these terms can help give you a better sense of what you're ordering and how to enjoy it.
Creole
If a certain dish is described as having "Creole influence" or a "Creole flavor," that means the dish has been influenced by the French culture. This is common in the cuisine of the West Indies since the French has had a lot of influence there over the years. Caribbean dishes said to have a lot of Creole character will probably remind you of Louisiana-style dishes, made with lots of chili peppers, tomatoes, and seafood.
Escabeche
"Escabeche" is a Spanish term that is used often in Caribbean cuisine. It simply means that something has been pickled. So, if you see codfish escabeche on a Caribbean restaurant menu, that terminology is referring to pickled codfish. When foods are pickled in the Caribbean, they are often pickled with vinegar and hot peppers, so expect some spice.
Bunuelos
A menu may list "sweet potato bunuelos" or "cassava bunuelos" without really telling you what bunuelos are. They're just fritters. They are made from a stiff batter that is then deep-fried, and sometimes topped or filled with things like guava or passion fruit. Bunuelos are made with different ingredients on different islands, and it's common to see them made with tuber roots like cassava and yam.
Curry
You may initially be confused to see curries listed on a Caribbean menu since curry is a staple in Indian cuisine. But many of the Caribbean islands, including Tobago and Jamaica, have actually received a lot of Indian influence over the years. As such, when you see a Caribbean dish described as a curry, you can bet it won't be that different from a typical curry. One main difference to be aware of is that Caribbean curries often contain allspice and have a bit of a sweeter flavor than Indian curries.
Hopefully understanding these terms gives you a little more insight when you read menus at Caribbean restaurants. Knowing what Caribbean curies are like, what Creole influence is, and what bunuelos are will deepen your appreciation for this incredibly broad and delicious cuisine.