Cucina creola tradizionale
Le Seychelles hanno qualcosa di incredibilmente affascinante, dalle acque azzurre, alle sabbie scintillanti, alla flora esotica, ma oltre a essere un paradiso per gli amanti della natura, presentano anche straordinarie opportunità gastronomiche. La cucina delle Seychelles, con il suo tocco creolo e le sue diverse influenze, ha catturato i cuori e le papille gustative di molti. I piatti spaziano dai frutti di mare freschi preparati in modo semplice ma perfetto, ai dessert con frutta locale. Ecco la nostra lista curata di alcuni cibi delle Seychelles da provare assolutamente durante la vostra visita.
1. Pesce fresco alla griglia
As an archipelago, the Seychelles is blessed with an abundant variety of fish. You’ll see local fishermen selling their fresh catch at the Victoria market, or straight off their boats. The sound of a conch shell being blown is a traditional indicator that fresh fish has just landed. One of the best ways to enjoy it is grilled over hot coals, often fired by coconut husks, infusing the fish with a unique, smoky aroma. Minimal seasoning is needed—just some garlic, ginger, and chilli stuffed into slits in the fish, which is then grilled to perfection. Barracuda is particularly tasty when prepared this way.
2. Salted Fish (Pwason Sale)
This is a nostalgic Seychelles dish, a testament to the times before refrigeration when preserving food was a challenge. Salting was one of the traditional preservation methods. Although less common today, you can still find salted fish, or Pwason Sale, if you know where to look.
3. Curry creolo
Creole curry is a must-try when in Seychelles, a dish that defines the rich blend of cultures on the islands. Prepared with a generous amount of spices, this aromatic dish can be made with either fish, chicken, or octopus. Historically, bat and goat were key ingredients, but nowadays, you’re more likely to find curries made with chicken or fish. While each version is unique, all Creole curries are typically combined with a luscious blend of tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and curry leaves, and for a unique secret ingredient in some creole curries, a generous amounts of freshly made coconut cream.
The curry paste, made by grinding turmeric, coriander seeds, cumin, and other spices, is the star of the dish. It is cooked slowly to allow the flavors to fully meld. The curry is usually served with rice and is often accompanied by chatini, a spicy condiment made from coconut, chili, and other spices.
As mentioned, a very special and adventurous version of it is fruit bat curry. A true Seychelles delicacy, reflecting the islands’ unique biodiversity. The dish is traditionally prepared by first marinating the bat in spices and then cooking it in a spicy curry sauce. The meat is said to have a unique taste, slightly gamey, somewhat like rabbit or venison, with a hint of sweetness.
While it might seem a little daunting to try for some, many locals and adventurous foodies swear by its unique taste and consider it a culinary experience you shouldn’t miss when visiting Seychelles.
Curry is a much-loved dish, however, brace yourself—the Seychellois do enjoy their curries spicy!
4. Shark Chutney
An interesting dish not for the faint of heart, shark chutney is a unique culinary experience that one must absolutely try in the Seychelles. With the star ingredient being shark, the dish is an exquisite blend of flavors and textures that show the boldness of Seychellois cuisine.
The preparation of shark chutney starts with boiling about a kilogram of skinned shark. It is then finely mashed, presenting a smooth and tender base for the chutney. What sets this dish apart is the use of bilimbi juice and lime, which infuse the shark meat with a tart, vibrant zest. This acidity is perfectly balanced with the addition of finely chopped onions, pepper, salt, and turmeric, adding depth and warmth to the dish.
The crucial step in preparing shark chutney is frying the onions in oil until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Once the onions are cooked, the mashed shark and spice mix are added, and the mixture is cooked until the flavors are well integrated.
Shark chutney is typically served with lentils and shredded green papaya on rice, resulting in a plate with a wide spectrum of flavors and textures.
5. Banane in ogni forma
Le Seychelles ospitano almeno 23 specie diverse di banane, che vengono utilizzate in una pletora di piatti. Dalle banane fiammeggiate con rum o brandy o fritte come patatine fritte ai dessert come le banane fritte con zucchero e burro o cotte al forno con latte di cocco, le banane svolgono un ruolo fondamentale nella cucina seicellese.
Il ladob di banana è un dolce tradizionale delle Seychelles, gustato sia come dolce che come pasto salato. La versione dolce viene di solito servita come dessert, a base di banane mature e patate dolci, cotte lentamente nel latte di cocco, zucchero, noce moscata e vaniglia. Il risultato è un dessert caldo e confortante che bilancia perfettamente i sapori dolci e speziati.
La versione salata del Ladob, invece, prevede la cottura di pesce salato con banane, manioca e panieri nel latte di cocco. Entrambe le versioni esemplificano i modi intelligenti con cui i seicellesi hanno utilizzato le ricchezze del loro ambiente tropicale.
6. Pane e frutta
Considerate il frutto del pane come una patata gigante e più versatile: può essere bollito, cotto al forno, schiacciato o fritto. Il pane è una parte essenziale della dieta delle Seychelles e viene utilizzato in numerosi piatti. Un dessert tradizionale delle Seychelles è il Breadfruit ladob, uguale al banana ladob, in cui il frutto del pane viene cotto con latte di cocco e zucchero.
Un altro modo delizioso in cui viene utilizzato è sotto forma di chips di pane. Si tratta di fette di pane fritte fino a diventare croccanti, come le tradizionali patatine. Spesso sono condite con sale e possono essere gustate come spuntino in spiaggia o come contorno ai pasti.
Tuttavia, per molti il modo migliore di gustare il pane è arrostirlo intero su un fuoco all’aperto, aprire la buccia carbonizzata per rivelare la polpa bianca e cremosa fumante e spalmarlo di burro.
7. Satini
Satini in Seychelles refers to a type of salad, comprising finely grated ingredients. These can be unripe fruits like papaya or golden apple, mixed with spices and onions, or even ground fish like shark. It can also have quite a lot of chilli, so be prepared for a spicy kick!
8. Smoked Fish Salad
In the Seychelles, smoked fish, particularly those with darker meat like swordfish, sailfish, or tuna, make an excellent cold salad. The salad can also feature tangy unripe fruits such as mango or papaya, which adds a fresh zest to the dish.
9. Traditional Seychelles Snacks
When hunger strikes between meals, turn to traditional Seychelles snacks for a quick fix. Some favourites include banana chips, breadfruit chips, and “molouk,” a kind of deep-fried bread dough. While not the healthiest, they are indeed delicious. For a healthier alternative, fresh coconuts make for a nice snack choice.
In Seychelles, every meal is an opportunity to explore its rich culinary tradition. The Seychelles food is a testament to its culture, history, and the ingenuity of its people, who have created such a varied and vibrant cuisine. So, when you visit, be ready for a gastronomic journey unlike any other. Check out the best restaurants in Seychelles, their The Creole dishes are sure to leave you wanting more!
