Cayman Islands

Apart from a paradise for lovers of sun, exoticism and scuba diving, the Cayman Islands are a thriving financial and offshore center with a strong economy. Due to the attractive conditions of zero taxation, more than 40,000 companies are registered in the Cayman Islands, including 600 banks and trust companies. The inhabitants of the Cayman Islands are just over 40,000 people i.e. the total number of banks and companies registered in the Caribbean exceeds this figure. This is the case in almost all offshore countries. In terms of money invested, the Cayman Islands ranks fifth in the world, after to Hong Kong, London, New York and Tokyo. The islands’ reputation is impeccable – when the international aces of transactions exchange impressions about the advantages of this or that financial center, the Caymans are always pointed out as the most stable and with the most undamaged reputation. The tourism industry is a leader in the country’s economy and represents about 70% of its gross national product. The Cayman Islands are a group of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. They are located in the western part of the Caribbean Sea. The Caymans were discovered by Christopher Columbus during his fourth expedition to the New World. Today, the Cayman Islands is an overseas territory of Britain, ruled by a governor appointed by the Queen of England.

Grand Cayman is perhaps the most attractive of the Cayman Islands with its amazing flora and fauna. There are silver palms, parrots, turtles, palm orchids (which are prohibited for export from the country as a natural unique). All of them have become a real emblem of the island. Grand Cayman will offer you a variety of experiences – from those looking for delicious food to walks on steep cliffs and diving in the azure waters around the island. However, if you prefer to lie on the beach with a book in hand, then Seven Mile Beach (although its actual length is 5.5 miles) is one of the best beaches in the world. It is widely acknowledged that it has the whitest and softest sand imaginable. Therefore, this part of the island is the most developed tourist and offers the best conditions for water sports and recreation. You can also walk to the world’s only green sea turtle farm, which is a national symbol of the Cayman Islands.

With food as vibrant and colorful as the island itself, the Caymans surpass the rest of the Caribbean when it comes to the culinary scene. Mixing spices, seafood and fresh spices to create unique and fragrant dishes and enough reason to visit the islands. There are several dishes worth trying:

Conch Stew – this is a stew with sea shells. A typical national dish of the Bahamas, but in the Cayman Islands it is just as appetizing. During the catch season of Conch (November-April) you will find it in most menus of restaurants.

Johnny Cake – these are small, fried dumplings and are great as an appetizer or main course. These Caribbean delicacies are great with butter, jam or in combination with sauteed fish.

Jerk Chicken – a spicy dish that originates from Jamaica and is prepared with hot peppers and allspice. This is probably the most famous of the Caribbean foods. With smoky, delicious-smelling stalls scattered around the island, if you want juicy chicken, you will not be disappointed when you try this dish.

Cayman-style lobster – a tail of lobsters in the style of Cayman. Prepared with hot sauce and peppers, this spicy, tender dish is nothing but delicious.

Cassava Cake (Heavy Cake) – Cassava is actually native to Central and South America, but is very popular in the tropics. This dessert is made with coconut milk, sugar and other spices for a rich, sweet taste and is considered a traditional Cayman dish. This dessert actually appeared a long time ago, when the lack of food forced the Caymans to be creative in the kitchen. 🙂

Ackee + Saltfish – a traditional Caribbean breakfast. It may look like scrambled eggs, but ackee is actually a fruit. He boil and mix with salted cod, onions, hot peppers, tomatoes and spices to taste.

I found Rum cake as the most popular cake, but I’ve already made one, if I’m not mistaken about the Bahamas. So after a long search on the Internet, I came across several articles that say that one of the favorite desserts in the Cayman Islands is Turtle Fudge. That is why I am preparing it for you now.

Here are the necessary products:

400 grams of caramel candy

2 tablespoons fresh milk

1 1/2 tea cups dark chocolate chips

1 1/2 tea cups milk chocolate chips

400 grams of condensed milk

pinch of salt

1 1/2 tea cups crushed pecans

vanilla

Steps of preparation:

Melt the caramel candy together with the milk in the microwave for 2 minutes or in a water bath until the mixture liquefies. Line a rectangular tray measuring 20×20 cm with baking paper or in a suitable one, as the paper should be fed over the edge of the tray, for easier removal later. Grease the paper with cooking spray or vegetable oil. Melt both types of chocolate with condensed milk and salt. Mix the chocolate mixture with the crushed pecans and vanilla.

Pour half of the chocolate mixture into the pan, then the caramel mixture and finally the rest of the chocolate.

Garnish with pecans as desired. Leave in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Remove from the pan and cut into rectangles. That is all. I made my cake with 1/3 of the quantities in the original recipe, because it turned out that my caramel candies were not enough.

This week is Halloween. A holiday where neighbors’ children ring your doorbell and expect treats. So you can cut the fudge into small squares and give to the children. You will surely make them happy. 😉 That’s exactly what I did and now they may come.

The “cake” is extremely easy to make. It only takes 5 minutes and is very tasty. The combination of chocolate, caramel and pecan is divine. You can’t go wrong with it. Try it yourself.

Next destination – Cambodia.