For families who love to travel, there is always a concern about food.
Grown-ups might love experimenting with new, strange cuisines and odd ingredients, but kids are often a little fussier about their food.
When planning an overseas trip, parents will often ask themselves ‘what are the kids going to eat?’.
Luckily, if you are thinking about a Caribbean vacation this year, you won’t have to worry about the picky eaters in your family.
The gorgeous, sun-drenched islands of the Caribbean boast a huge variety of culinary options that are perfect for kids, from fun snacks to delicious main dishes.
Succulent, colorful tropical fruits play a large part in Caribbean cooking, alongside kid-friendly dishes that are heavy on chicken, plantains, and rice and beans.
Meals tend to be uncomplicated and big on flavor – perfect for young palates – and while each island has a slightly different take on culinary traditions, the ingredients and tastes tend to be recognizable and comforting, which is perfect for choosy eaters.
So whether you are cruising to San Juan or planning to laze around on a beach in Barbados, here are a few things to look out for on the menu that your kids will love.
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Johnny cakes
Made with delicious cornmeal, these pan-fried cakes are wonderfully crunchy with a comforting soft filling, and absolutely perfect for soaking up sauces, salsas, and stews.
Plantain
A huge favorite amongst most kids, these giant bananas are just downright fun!
Plantain is used in loads of Caribbean dishes, but when fried with sugar (and a sweet, fruity dipping sauce) they make the perfect sweet treat for kids.
Jerk chicken
One of the most famous dishes in Caribbean cuisine, jerk chicken is a great way to introduce young taste buds to the joys of spice.
Served with fruity chutney, the jerk flavors are rich but not overpowering, and your kids will absolutely love this dish.
For more adventurous young diners you could even try jerk fish or jerk goat!
Rice and beans
One of the simplest yet most popular menu items across the Caribbean, rice and beans is a staple, and one that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy.
Made with regular white rice, it is familiar and comforting enough for kids who struggle with more complex dishes, but with a few interesting spices and flavors to make it interesting.
Ropa vieja
This Cuban classic is a rich, delicious comfort meal made with shredded meat and a delicious tomato sauce, and served with garbanzo beans and potatoes.
It is everything kids love – saucy, delicious, and easy to eat – and the name literally means ‘old clothes’ which can make for some hilarious jokes at dinnertime!
Heavy cake
This rich, golden-brown, sugary cake will delight your kids.
Made with cassava root, coconut milk, dark brown sugar, vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon, it is a sticky, heavy treat and one that everyone in the family will enjoy at teatime or after dinner.
Coconut soup
A Cayman Islands specialty, this chilled soup is a wonderfully refreshing option on a hot day.
Made with chicken stock and coconut milk, it is delicious and thirst-quenching all at the same time.
Served with slices of watermelon it is the perfect light lunch for a day at the beach.
Doubles
Doubles are one of the most fun, most interesting, and tastiest snacks that the Caribbean has to offer.
A Trinidadian delicacy, they originated in the Indian migrant communities, and are now found all over the Caribbean.
Made with two flat pieces of fried dough and stuffed with chickpea curry and fruit chutney, they are perfect for calming little hungry bellies in between meals.
Now you just need to influence your kids to travel!
