Bonaire Bits - Cuisine

"The cuisine of Bonaire, like that of many islands of the Caribbean, brings together the myriad influences of the many cultures and people who made the island's history...Although Bonaire's many constituent cultures brought unusual diversity to its cuisine, the island's limited capacities for agricultural production encouraged cooks to adapt their recipes to the particular range of ingredients available here. Although imports from abroad were sporadic, residents created a wide range of dishes--from soups and stews to sweets and desserts. Many of these dishes rely on easily preserved staples such as salted meat (which kept longer in pre-freezer days), some on such mainstays of Caribbean cooking as plantains and okra, and others on the unique bounty of Bonaire's environment-including conch, cactus, and iguana." [1] 

"One the special treats available to visitors to Bonaire is the chance to sample local food. You may see a sign, Aki ta Bende Kuminda Krioyo, or "local food sold here". Rest assured you will be well fed from a selection of sopi (soups), stoba (stews) or food that is hasa (fried), and you will not go hungry. The portions are huge, very tasty, and economical. The local food is served pa bai kun'e (to go) from the Snacks or in a number of places, at sit down establishments. Following are a few dishes with explanations.

Local		English
Kabritu	=	Goat
Galiña	=	Chicken
Baka	=	Beef
Kabes ku Higra	=	Goat Brains and Liver
Stoba	=	Stew
Sanger	=	Blood (fried)
Komkomber	=	Cucumber
Funchi	=	Polenta (corn meal)
Kesio	=	Flan / Quesillo
Karko	=	Conch
Piska	=	Fish

When you do order local food you have it served with rice, potato or funchi.  Many people order it mitar mitar, which is half-and-half, with rice and potato or funchi.  Another treat is to ask for the pika siboyo, a sauce made with onions marinated in vinegar and hot peppers. Rest assured, local food is not made with hot spices, but the sauce, if you use it, makes up for it." [2]

Look for local "Snacks" to get dishes that are considered to be traditional fare.

[1] geographia.com; bonaire cuisine
[2] infobonaire.com; bonaire cuisine