Haitian Cuisine is greatly influenced by the French and African cuisine. Even though Haiti’s cuisine is similar to other cooking styles in the region, it has notable uniqueness that apply only to the country and has a significant appeal to many visitors of the island. Haitians use a verity of different vegetables, meats and rice/corn in almost ever meal they make. Also Haitians had herds and peppers often to strengthen the flavor on their meals. Dishes are usually heavily seasoned. They like their food to be moderately spicy, not mild and not too hot. Many foreign businesses in Haiti have been introducing many foreign cuisines into the culture. Years of adaptation have led to what the Haitian cuisine is today.
ACCRA
Accra is a tasty crunchy appetizer that is a great food to open up any party or event in Haiti. It takes about an hour to make, but is well worth the wait! This appetizer includes chopped onions, garlic, vegetable oil, eggs grated malanga, finely chooped parsley salt, flour and crushed hot peppers or sauce, depending on one’s taste.
BOULETTE
Boulette is Haitian meatballs. This meal takes about 20 minutes to make, which is great if you’re really hungry! This delightful dish is made with bread, flour, freshly ground lean beef, vegetable oil, salt and pepper, and parsley. Once the ingredients are put together they are then fried in oil until golden brown. This meal is usually complemented well by any rice dish.
GRIOT
Griot is a Haitian tradition and is definitely a crowd pleaser! Griots are fried pork chunks. This meal takes about a hour to two hours to make and takes a lot of patients, but is well worth the time and energy because its a very tasty dish! This tasty dish contains boneless pork that is cut into large cubes, sour orange juice, salt, minced garlic, ground black pepper, fresh thyme, seasoned salt, scotch bonnet green pepper ( these are optional) and oil.
TASSOT
Tassot is fried beef or goat. This dish a flavorful meaty addition to any meal! Tassot is made with beef or goat ( your choice) cut into small chunks, orange juice, lime or lemon juice, vegetable oil, parsley, salt black pepper, minced garlic, and onion powder.
Desserts
Haitian desserts range from mild to sweet. Sugarcane and granulated sugar are often used in all desserts.
FRESCO
Fresco is a dessert that almost very Haitian loves. It is easy to make and takes not time at all! Fresco is very similar to Italian Ice, however it consists mostly of fruit syrup. The syrup is moderately think and is very sweet. This desserts is usually sold by street vendors, but the sweet smell of it can attract many honeybees, so watch out when eating it!
PEN PATAT
Pen Patat is a sweet bread made with cinnamon, evaporated milk and sweet potatoes. It usually is served cold but can be eaten at room temperature too. This dessert is favored by most Haitians.
Beverages
Haitians also drink a verity of different beverages, in everyday life and at parties or festivals.
BEER
Beer a popular consumed alcoholic beverage in Haiti mostly consumed at festivals and parties but, is also occasionally drank with a meal. The most widely drank beer in Haiti is called Prestige. This beer has a similar taste to Budweiser and Miller Light. The beer has a light and crisp taste but has a sweet taste to it. Prestige is brewed by Brasserie Nationale d’Haiti, which is owned by Heineken.
RUM
Haiti’s rum is extremely popular among the Haitian culture. It is actually the country’s most popular alcoholic beverage. Their rum is usually made with sugarcane juice instead of molasses like most rum. Haitians drink rum for any and all occasions. Haitians sure do love their rum!
CLAIRIN
Clairin or also known as Kleren is another popular drink throughout Haiti. This drink is equivalent to what we know as moonshine. Clairin is distilled from molasses and is often distilled twice to have a higher proof of alcohol. Clairin is at least 100 to 120 proof. If it is distilled twice is can easily be 150 proof. Clairin in some areas can be more popular than rum because it is much cheaper and less labor intensive to make.
CREMAS
Cremas is also spelled Cremasse. This drink is a sweet and creamy alcoholic beverage native to Haiti. Cremas is made from creamed coconuts, sweetened condensed and/or evaporated milk and rum. The rum is usually a dark rum but white rum is used as well. Recipes vary from person to person with a few ingredients here and there like cinnamon, nutmeg, and anise. People make it to their taste preferences. This beverage is regularly served at social events and during the holidays. This drink is usually served with a pastry of some sort.
NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
The tropical climate that Haiti has makes juice of any kind very popular! Juice is a very popular beverage because of its variety of flavors, its easily made, and its widely accessibility. Malta is another a popular non-alcoholic drink in Haiti. It consist of barley with molasses to add flavor. In more urban areas of the nation, Haitians enjoy Americanized drinks such as soft drinks. Milkshakes are also drunk regularly throughout Haiti.