Try Martinique food in Montreal during the Martinique Gourmande à Montréal. The spicy flavours of Caribbean cuisine and hot summer weather always make a perfect pairing. Thanks to this special month-long celebration (August 15-September 14, 2008) taking place at participating Montreal restaurants, it’s possible to enjoy a taste of the tropics without stepping on a plane.
Located in the Lesser Antilles island chain of the Caribbean and an official department of France, Martinique’s cuisine is an inventive blend of French and Creole culinary traditions drawn from a mix of African, Indian and Caribbean influences. Culinary delicacies worth seeking out include:
Accras: Martinique’s answer to tapas, these delicate fritters are stuffed with cod, vegetables or seafood and perfect for dipping in spicy-sweet sauce as appetizers.
Rum: Martinique is considered one of the world’s finest producers of aged rum and boasts the only rum with an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée - the same designation that applies to French cheeses and wines. Made directly from sugar cane rather than molasses, it’s meant for sipping and savouring. Or try ti-punch, a shot of lime juice, sugar cane and 100-proof rum that is an island ritual.
Seafood: A bountiful variety of fish such as cod, snapper and sea bass are often served with mango accompanied by a gratin of giraumon (squash) or christophene (chayote) and baked ti-nain, a tiny banana. Worth seeking out are hearty seafood stews, ouassou (freshwater crayfish) or crabes farcis (stuffed crab), both served with an inventive French twist.
Exotic Fruits: The exotic flavours and colours of the tropics truly come alive in desserts such as Banana Tarte Tatin or pains de chocolat served with coconut jam. Other favourites include fresh guava ice-cream, rich coconut bread and refreshing lime sorbet.
This month, you can enjoy Martinique ’s magical blend of sensual island enchantment and decidedly French culinary craftsmanship on menus at the following restaurants:
Le Petit Alep
Barraca
Bistro Cocagne
Boris Bistro