Agave boldinghiana is a species of Caribbean cactus that only grows in Bonaire and Curacao. While some agave cactuses can be distilled to make delicious, albeit potent beverages, Bonaire’s agave is really only useful as a charming succulent to decorate houses and gardens. You can, however, get a cactus-flavored treat in the shape of kadushi, another spiky specimen that grows across the island.
Cactuses aside, Bonaire is renowned as one of the hottest foodie destinations in the Caribbean, and there are plenty of other mouth-watering local specialities to try on this delightful island.
So if you are searching for additional benefits from last-minute cruise deals, and plan to sail the Caribbean searching for the best food and drink available, check out the most delectable and appetizing dishes that Bonaire has to offer!
Pastechis
Sitting somewhere in between a Cornish pasty and an Argentinian empanada, Bonaire’s pastechis are an unmissable island delicacy. Perfect as a snack when you are on the go, these golden, flaky pastries full of meat, seafood, or vegetables are absolutely delicious. You’ll find these deep-fried treats for sale everywhere on Bonaire, and they make a wonderful option for curbing those pre-lunch hunger pangs.
Keshi Yena
A must for serious cheese lovers, this is one of the island’s most interesting and most unusual showstoppers…although perhaps familiar to fans of Mexico’s Yucatecan cuisine! This remarkable dish consists of an entire Dutch Edam cheese, hollowed out and filled with meat and a spicy tomato salsa, then baked. It creates a quite extraordinary culinary experience, a semi-melted, oozing ball of creamy, cheesy deliciousness that zings with Caribbean seasoning and is quite unlike most things you’ll have tried before.
Sopi Kadushi
Unlike most Caribbean islands, Bonaire has quite a dry, arid climate, hence its plentiful supply of cacti. Sopi kadushi is the best way to try this particular Bonaire delicacy, a traditional soup that starts off with a ‘candle cactus’ base, and extemporizes with fresh fish, shrimp, or dried meats.
Kabritu Stobá
Curry goat is a Caribbean classic, an extremely well-known part of Jamaican cuisine in particular, and kabritu stoba is Bonaire’s version of this rich, delicious dish.
Goats are one of the few animals that can survive and prosper in Bonaire’s rugged landscape, which makes this one of the most authentic, homegrown dishes available.
Slow-cooked with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spicy chilis to form a thick, mouthwatering stew, kabritu stoba is then finished with an acidic blast of vinegar and lime juice which cuts through the rich flavors and creates a flavor sensation in the mouth.
Kokada
Finish off your tour of Bonaire’s culinary delights with dessert by trying kokada, a sweet, sticky, coconut candy with overtones of vanilla and rose that is perfect with vanilla ice cream as an after-dinner delight, or on its own as a mid-afternoon treat! These delectable candies naturally come in white and brown (depending on whether the skin of the coconut is used), but are also available in a rainbow of vibrant colors thanks to the addition of coloring drops. Not to be missed by anyone with a sweet tooth!