While on island, most of the produce you’ll find in supermarket shelves, mini markets, etc. are likely to be imported. This is in part due to the fact that TCI gets about 15 days of rain a year making it almost impossible to grow anything. This accounts for the premium in groceries you’ll find yourself paying when visiting Turks and Caicos -which is about 1.5X what you would typically pay back home (U.S. or Canada). Having said that, when it comes to seafood, not only is not imported but it is likely to be some of the freshest you have ever tried. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the sustainable and delicious seafood you are likely to find during your weeklong stay in paradise.
The islands have access to the freshest seafood out there, much of which is caught and cooked on the same day. When ordering a meal in a restaurant or picking up raw protein at the supermarket, you should maybe factor this in.
Mahi-Mahi is a popular fish for island cooking as it has a mild flavor and works well with the spices often associated with dishes from the Caribbean islands. Many of the popular seafood restaurants put their own spin on Mahi-Mahi, so you can try it at many local dining spots and never have the same dish twice. Grilled Mahi-Mahi is very popular with locals, and visitors who try it are amazed that such a simple process makes the fish so tasty. It’s often served with a fruit garnish that helps add some island flair. Mahi-Mahi is a populous fish that isn’t being over-harvested, so it can be enjoyed regularly with no real concern for its environmental impact.
While not technically a fish, lobsters are also very popular in the Caribbean and are featured in many island dishes. The Turks and Caicos area have a lobster fishery that focuses on sustainability, allowing seafood lovers to enjoy lobster without affecting the local environment in a negative way. The lobsters are raised in the fishery, and when ready, they are caught, harvested, and shipped to local restaurants very quickly -often on the same day. This freshness translates well to favorite island dishes like Caribbean lobster stew, grilled lobster tail, or lobster salad with tropical island ingredients. Travelers who have never experienced the freshness of sustainably farmed lobster prepared within a day of harvest may never return to traditional lobster dishes.
*Lobster Season is August 1-March 31.*
Bay scallops and shrimp are popular seafood varieties that are readily available in this Caribbean paradise. Bay scallops offer sweetness to counter the spicy flavors of the island food. When caught fresh, as they usually are in most of the area, they are moist and tender. They are often boiled and served with butter but can also be used in salads and pasta. Bay scallop ceviche is also a popular island dish that allows the citrus flavors to shine. Shrimp dishes are popular in island cuisine because shrimp are easy to get from sustainable farms. Shrimp can be used in many different ways including being grilled or used in a fricassee, which is a unique island dish for those who’ve never had it before.
All of our rentals are well-appointed, spacious, and a great place to rest during your island downtime. Additionally, all villas have a BBQ Grill -perfect for grilling fresh fish!