Comfort through food the trini way!

A few of my must haves, bound to try!

 ​Dear Trinidad,
     Since your borders have closed, I have been thinking a lot about you. Not only am I longing for pre-social distancing days, but I am longing to once again touch your soil. You my land of oil and music, have enriched me and many others with the sweetest delicacies from Toco to Icacos, and Mayaro to Gasparee. I have found comfort in both your traditional and non-traditional meals. Planned many interactions around food centered activities, and strengthened bonds during impromptu outdoor cooks by your rivers and beaches.
    As the world comes to a halt, and my days now look different due to the current global pandemic as a result Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), I find myself seeking comfort in planning my return trip to you. Yes, once we can safely travel, I shall return, to seek out joy and comfort through my favorite Trini Food!

     Trinidad, because of your cultural and ethnic diversity there is always such a wide variety of local cuisine to enjoy. So in order to savor the most during my pending trip, I have decided to list my must have comfort foods using the following categories: street food, "local" fast food and of course the ever important Sunday lunch! While I acknowledge this list is not a complete guide to must have Trini foods, I do think it is a comprehensive guide of foods that anyone visiting Trinidad should try at least once.

Street Food.

View from "The Cross" located in San Fernando,Trinidad

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      Because breakfast is my favorite meal, my prefered choice of street food consists of doubles and aloo-pie!
​    Street food comprises of any easy to handle "bite", that can be acquired from a vendor with a "mobile" establishment, located on the side of the road. 

     Street food in Trinidad has transformed throughout the years with vendors migrating from selling on wooden tables that they would set up daily and the trunks of their cars; to more semi-permanent  structures like rigged pickup trucks, carts and even Food Trucks.
​     Throughout Trinidad there is a consistent, but diverse source of street food, with vendors supplying items such as: doubles and aloo pies; elaborate burgers topped with items such as cheese garlic sauce, pineapples and additional meats; soups; wings and chips; bake and shark and many other exciting options. 
      

Travel Tip- 

1. Street food can be found from various vendors at the end of any seasonal concert or show or more permanently on certain major streets or corners e.g.​
   1. Ariapita Avenue - Port of Spain
   2. The Cross - San Fernando
   3. Along the road by major shopping areas i.e. Grand Bazar and Price Plaza
2. Typically vendors are cash only.
3. Operating times vary.

Local Fast Food.

     Though this category is self explanatory I do want to highlight Roti, one of the top four meals I need to have upon arrival! Roti which is typically served with stews and curry, initially became a popular street food in the southern part of Trinidad. Once it was discovered that by placing curry or the desired filling on the flat roti (think flatbread made from flour) and then wrapping, made roti more convenient to eat, roti shops began to populate Trinidad and then it's sister isle, Tobago.

Travel Tip- 

1. Please note that throughout Trinidad there is no shortage of locations to satisfy your fast food cravings (both local and international chains).
2. Prices range from approximately 5 USD to 20 USD.
3. Most establishments take both cash and card, however no American Express or Apple Pay.

Sunday Lunch!

The term Sunday Lunch can be very nebulous, as what this meal comprises of varies depending on individual households and personal preferences.
     In our household Sunday Lunch consists of whatever we feel like cooking as long as it consists of multiple carbs, starches, salads and protein choices!
    As a child, every Saturday night we would collectively sit and plan the menu for Sunday Lunch. This has resulted in traditional Trinbagonian dishes like wild meat, callaloo and stewed pigeon peas being integrated with baked ziti, grilled fish and jasmine white rice steamed with leaves! What I love most about this meal, is that no matter how elaborate or simple it is, everyone always contributes during the preparation phase.
     ​

Macaroni pie, stewed chicken, stewed peas, callaloo, rice and stewed pork.

     Trutfully, the category Sunday Lunch  is more about tradition, for me. The meal brings the ultimate feeling of comfort and security as it allows me to spend time with loved ones and conduct our quirky routine of getting dressed up, indulging in a new wine and blasting oldie goldies!

​Travel Tip-
Make friends with a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago to get the authentic experience!

     Now aside from being hungry, my spirits are once again lifted and I cannot wait to return to you my dearest Trinidad and make my way through this list. Until then be safe!
​

Yours always,
The Travelin' Geo