The US Virgin Islands are part of the Virgin Islands (along with the British Virgin Islands!), and are considered to be an insular United States territory. There are three primary islands (St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas), and several other small islands that make up this nation.
The history there is very similar to that of the British Virgin Islands, in the fact that the two make up the Virgin Island archipelago, but in 1917 the US purchased what is now the US territory. Because of the history of slavery in the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, the majority of the population there is of African descent, so the cultural influence is palpable. Also in the cultural mixing pot: Danish, French, Spanish, and Creole.
The cuisine, of course, is directly inspired by these different groups. Dishes are characteristic of the Caribbean; the use of local ingredients (think fruits and vegetables like mango, coconut, soursop, cassava, yam, pumpkin, okra, callaloo, lime, avocado, plantain, beans, and tomato, and meat/seafood like salt beef, pork, conch, tuna, snapper, crab, lobster) is standard, and most meals are comparable to those in neighboring nations.
Here’s a list of some conventional dishes in the US Virgin Islands, and links to recipes so you can try them out at home! Pumpkin Fritters, Kallaloo (Callaloo), Potato Stuffing, Red Grout, Chicken Roti, Mango Chicken, Avocado Mousse, Coconut Shrimp, and Rum Raisin Rice Pudding.
Have you ever been to the US Virgin Islands? If so, what was your favourite dish? Do share! Coming up next week on Food Freeway: the Recipe of the Week!
* Note: Today’s gorgeous photos are by F H Mira (landscape), and Robert Thomson (mashed potatoes). Be sure to check out their whole photostreams on Flickr!