There are two dishes that stand out in the authentic Bermudian culinary experience. One is their fish chowder, the other is Sunday cod and boiled potatoes.
This photo is of the fish chowder served in The Jasmine Lounge of the Fairmont Southampton. The fish chowder is NOT a creamy potato and clam blend like that of New England. It's not a clam chowder at all. Nothing like that!
It is dark brown, is thin, tomato based, spicy and not particularly "fishy" tasting. If you look closely in the photo the soup looks as if it has separated, but that's not the case at all. In Bermuda your soup is served, and then it is drizzled with sherry pepper sauce and dark rum at the table.
I eagerly dug into this gorgeous soup and was anything but disappointed. It was such a rich blend of spices and flavours, I can say that no two spoonfuls were the same. At times, I really couldn't tell if it was the temperature, or the delicious spice that was setting my tongue on fire.
The soup was just $11 and was served with a sweet Johnny Cake and butter. I found it quite filling and positively satisfying. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I did not get a chance to experience traditional Sunday brunch, though I do understand it is as much about faith, family and community as it is the food. It has brought people together in churches and homes as a way to feed and nourish all, especially the needy. The tradition has continued and Sunday is known as the day to gather and enjoy cod, boiled potatoes, onion, avocado and bananas. It sound interesting, if not appealing. Logically, it is the food most plentiful in the region and has been for generations.
The history of the land, the people and their faith are often told through cuisine. You can learn a great deal about a culture from experiencing the food and respecting the manners in which it is prepared and served.
If you are interested in trying these dishes at home, recipes are plentiful on the Internet.
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