From the language and music, to the arts and (most importantly) food, being of a Haitian descent is something I am greatly proud of. Haitian food was influenced by countries like Spain, France, Africa and even the United States. Though influenced by various other countries, our food has a distinct taste that separates us from them. Choosing my top five favorite foods wasn’t easy being that my culture has a litany of delicious meals that will make your mouth water. However, I managed to choose five foods that I love and hope you all enjoy and will be able to try one day.

1. Banann Peze Fried avèk Griot (Fried Plantain and Fried or Baked Pork)

*I’m listing the ingredients my parents use to make these certain meals. Keep in mind that all recipes vary depending on how one decides to make it. If you don’t like the ingredients used in the videos, you don’t have to use them. You can use the ingredients I listed or alter the dishes to your heart’s desire*

The main ingredients for this meal are:

-Pork shoulder (cut into pieces, preferably cubes)

o Ingredients you need to prepare the pork:

-Garlic

-Thyme

-Maggi (chicken flavored)

-Peppers

-Parsley

-Green or yellow plantains

o Ingredients you need to prepare the plantains:

-Tostonera (plantain smasher; optional)

-Oil

-Vinegar

-Salt

-Hot water

You can eat this meal with pikliz (pictured above on top of the fried pork), which is spicy pickled carrots and cabbage, or a salad. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, I suggest that you don’t add picklies to this meal.

2. Diri Kole ak Pwa Rouge (Rice and Red Kidney Beans)

The main ingredients:

-Rice and beans

o Ingredients needed:

-Water

-Oil

-Red kidney beans

-Salt

-Maggi (chicken flavored)

-Garlic powder

-Hot peppers

-Cloves

This can be eaten with macaroni, seafood and any meat of your choice: fried or baked chicken, fried or baked pork, etc. Whatever you eat it with, however, I’m sure you’ll enjoy! You could also add salad and/or plantains to the side.

3. Boulèt (Meatballs)

The main ingredients:

-Meatballs

o Ingredients needed:

-Ground beef

-Garlic powder

-Maggi (chicken flavored)

-Onions

-Hot peppers

The meatballs are of course eaten with spaghetti or any pasta of your liking and plantains (pictured above). You could also add spicy pickled carrots and cabbage to your meatballs if you want your food to be spicy.

4. Diri Djon Djon (Rice and Mushrooms)

The main ingredients:

-Rice and mushrooms

o Ingredients needed:

-Rice

-Oil

-Lima beans

-Black Haitian mushrooms

-Shrimp (optional)

-Garlic

-Thyme

-Hot peppers

-Cloves

This is eaten with lambi (conch), fried pork, chicken, and any type of meat you want as stated previously. You could also add macaroni, and salad on the side.

5. Makawoni Gratiné (Baked Macaroni and Cheese)

The main ingredients:

-Baked macaroni and cheese

o Ingredients needed:

-Pasta (whatever you want: rigatoni, ziti, penne, etc.)

-Block of Velveeta cheese

-Onions

-Parmesan cheese

-Maggi (chicken flavored)

-Carnation milk

-Butter

-Bell peppers

This delicious (and my number one favorite) dish can be eaten with rice, meat, seafood, etc. I sometimes eat it alone because I love it that much.

If you’re interested in trying Haitian food but don’t want to make it yourself, there are plenty of Haitian restaurants/buffets in Spring Valley, NY. I mainly go to the locations listed below: