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