Happy New Year to all my foodie friends! I hope you enjoyed the Christmas season and savoured the food and drink. As per usual, I overindulged. Guess what? Absolutely, no regrets.
If you think this week’s fit to eat column is going to be about getting back on the healthy wagon and New Year’s resolutions — think again. I’m not going to do that to you. All I would say is eat anything you want in moderation.
What I am writing about is an amazing fish chowder. A traditional seafood recipe from beautiful Bermuda. We’re currently on vacation visiting my brother, Ryan, and his wife, Angela, in Bermuda. Ryan grew up on our magnificent island of Newfoundland, but decided to trade the cool waters in for a smaller, warmer tropical island. Can you blame him?
“Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then it turns your into a storyteller.” - Ibn Battuta
There’s so much to take in and learn when traveling abroad. Everything from the areas vast history to observing interesting architecture and experiencing diverse culture and food.
Bermuda is known for the Bermuda Triangle, pink sandy beaches, warm weather, crystal caves and more. For such a tiny island, there’s never a lack of fun activities. The people are extremely friendly. Kinda reminds me of home — waving their hand or nodding their heads while passing and saying “Hi.”
If you read my column from Jan. 5, 2019 (“From Island to Island you already know about the interesting similarities between our islands.
Bermuda isn’t known as a culinary destination. If you’re a food lover, indulging in traditional food when abroad is a must do. There’s no lack of dishes and items to try here. Everything from the codfish breakfast, fish sandwich, Johnny bread, black rum cake, Bermuda fish cakes and their fish chowder.
“I went to a seafood disco last week. I pulled a mussel.” - Unknown
Bermuda’s fish chowder is a dish you must try. Bermuda-attractions.com provides this description of the dish: “Bermuda fish chowder is a highly spiced, thick broth served with a dash of sherry pepper sauce and black rum. Other than the main ingredient which is ground fish head, ingredients such as diced fresh fish, onions, celery, carrots, tomatoes and herbs are also added.”
Pretty well every restaurant on the island has their own version of the recipe. We decided to try it at Barracuda Grill which is located upstairs from one of our favourite pubs, The Hog Penny. It did not disappoint.
There are definitely similarities to our Newfoundland seafood chowder but what sets the Bermudian fish chowder apart from ours is definitely the tomato base, Outerbridge sherry pepper sauce and Gosling’s black rum. On the rock, we make it with cod, here they use rockfish. If that’s not available, they use snapper or wahoo. It has more of a soup consistency rather than the thick texture at home.
“I don’t want to look back and think, I could have eaten that.” – Unknown
Those of you who stick to the same items on the menu, as if you’re home, what are you doing? You’re missing out on so much and denying your palete of delicious food. Bermuda’s food isn’t “out there” by any means. If you’re going to travel, experiencing different types of food is all part of exploring a new part of the world. Be adventurous.
Suffice to say, Bermuda’s fish chowder is definitely fit to eat. If you can’t make it to Bermuda to try it in person, there are lots of recipes to test online. Simply Google, “Bermuda fish chowder” and you’ll get a variety of recipes to choose. I think the only problem with making it on the rock is the choice of fish. You may have to settle for our much loved cod.
“I am on a seafood diet. I see food and I eat it.” - Unknown
Make sure you come back next week as I’m going to delve into two of Bermuda’s favourites with tourists - the moist and flavorful rum cake and the dark & stormy beverage. Intrigued yet?
Until then, slurp up every spoonful of Bermudian fish chowder your tummy can handle.
Erin Sulley is a self-confessed foodie who lives in Mount Pearl. Email [email protected]: @ErinSulley Instagram: @erinsulley
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