I love researching and learning interesting facts about Caribbean Cuisine. When I began researching Dominica's cuisine I learned a few things about the national dish that was fascinating.
Previously Dominica’s national dish was the Mountain Chicken. The Mountain Chicken is an endangered frog species native to the island of Dominica. It was the national dish of Dominica until recently. The natives and indigenous Carib Indians, also known as the Kalinago People of the island, have prepared and eaten Mountain Chicken for many years. The cooked frog is traditionally eaten with provisions (yam, potato, green bananas etc.) or rice and peas.
In 2013 Callaloo soup was chosen as the new national dish. The change came as a way to preserve the Mountain Chickens.
Callaloo soup was a favorite of the African slaves and remains a favorite dish in Dominica . It is a combination of leafy vegetables such as spinach or dasheen mixed in with seasonings, provisions, meat and coconut milk. This wholesome meal is generally consumed during the creole and carnival seasons, but can sometimes show up any where there is much alcohol consumption like local parties and road side bars where it is known as an energy booster.
The change of national dish was not very slow because many on the Island already enjoyed the Callaloo soup.
