| Though Curacao may seem like your average | | | | accidental creation. After establishing the |
| Caribbean island, this vacation hotspot has | | | | first colony on Curacao, the Spaniards |
| inherited a cosmopolitan sensibility unlike | | | | attempted to grow Valencia oranges. However, |
| any other destination. Though colonized by | | | | the oranges reacted to the vastly different |
| the Dutch, Curacao boasts an incredibly | | | | climate, dramatically altering the fruit's |
| diverse population, with 45 distinct | | | | distinctive citrus flavor. Over time, the |
| nationalities represented in its modest | | | | Valencia became the sour Lahara. Years later, |
| population. Over the years, these diverse | | | | growers realized that the peels of Lahara |
| groups have had an incredible influence on | | | | oranges contained sweet-scented oils. Through |
| the local culture. In the world of food, | | | | experimentation, the sugary exterior of the |
| ethnic traditions have blended with local | | | | Lahara orange - along with a number of |
| cuisine to create one-of-a-kind recipes. With | | | | unusual spices - found its way into the |
| the culinary styles of locations as diverse | | | | recipe for Curacao liqueur. Today, the |
| as South and Central America, Southeast Asia | | | | orange-flavored drink named for its |
| and the haute cuisine of Western Europe | | | | birthplace is enjoyed throughout the world. |
| represented on the island, Curacao may boast | | | | |
| some of the most delicious and provocative | | | | If you try some of the island's namesake |
| food in the world. Additionally, as the | | | | liqueur, you might also want to keep some |
| namesake of the popular sugary liqueur, | | | | dessert nearby. While Aruba might hold claim |
| Curacao has certainly grown a sweet tooth - | | | | to the best beer of the ABC Islands, Curacao |
| best represented by the island's original | | | | definitely cooks up the most distinctive |
| dessert recipes. | | | | sweets. One of the most popular desserts is a |
| | | | luxurious Caribbean take on the fruit cake |
| Despite the influence of so many cultures on | | | | known as bolo pretu - a rich, dark cake |
| Curacao's cuisine, there are plenty of | | | | stuffed with Caribbean fruits. |
| popular recipes that pre-date the island's | | | | |
| cosmopolitan development. The best example of | | | | As might be expected in the Caribbean, |
| this unique Caribbean style is iguana stew. | | | | coconut finds its way into a number of |
| Prepared just as you would imagine, the dish | | | | recipes. A simple dessert known as djente |
| is a favorite of locals (who say the meat | | | | kacho - or dog's tooth - is merely fresh |
| greatly resembles chicken), though it often | | | | coconut cooked in a sugary syrup. The |
| takes an adventurous tourist to have a taste. | | | | confection known as kokada finds the coconut |
| Traditional Dutch recipes dating to the early | | | | cooked flat in patties, the result bearing |
| colonial period such as keshi yena - a baked | | | | some similarity to the macaroon. In the |
| dish with plenty of Gouda cheese, meat and | | | | bakeries and restaurants of Curacao, you will |
| other fresh ingredients - are also popular in | | | | also find sunchi (bite-size meringues), |
| many of Curacao's restaurants. | | | | panseiku (pralines made with toasted peanuts, |
| | | | prepared with almond essence and brown sugar) |
| Much to the surprise of many visitors, | | | | and tentalaria (finely ground peanuts and |
| Indonesian cuisine plays an important role in | | | | cashews served in a fresh sugar cream). |
| Curacao's culinary scene. Brought to the | | | | |
| island by the Dutch after establishing | | | | Even some traditionally savory items served |
| colonies in Southeast Asia, Indonesian | | | | at lunch and dinner are prepared with the |
| ingredients and cooking techniques have found | | | | sweet tooth in mind. For instance, a dish |
| their way into many favorite local recipes. | | | | called ayaka is cooked like a traditional |
| One such dish is rijisttafel (Dutch for "rice | | | | meat tamale, yet banana leaves are used in |
| table"), a combination of rice, vegetables, | | | | lieu of cornhusks to lend a bit of sweetness |
| meat or seafood and the hearty kick of chili | | | | to the dish. Likewise, one of the most |
| peppers. Asian seasonings and preparations | | | | popular appetizers in Curacao is a sweet soup |
| are also commonly used in Curacao when | | | | composed of plantains and vegetables, |
| serving fresh local seafood such as mahi mahi | | | | seasoned with cinnamon and peppers. |
| and red snapper. | | | | |
| | | | For those wondering about the best Caribbean |
| Despite the fascinating culinary atmosphere | | | | destinations to visit, the diverse culinary |
| on the island, Curacao is certainly best | | | | traditions of Curacao certainly give |
| known as the namesake of a popular liqueur. | | | | travelers one more reason to visit this |
| As the story goes, Curacao liqueur was an | | | | unique island paradise. |