Top 8 Trinidadian Snacks

Doubles is a staple of Trini street food, a sandwich that consists of two fried flatbreads (bara) filled with curried chickpeas (curry channa). It is believed that doubles were invented in 1936 in Princes Town, and nowadays they are consumed for breakfast or as a late-night snack. The dish can be additionally enriched with ingredients such as pepper sauce, tamarind sauce, or green mango pickle with amchar masala, known as kuchela. In Trinidad and Tobago, doubles are typically sold wrapped in paper.Expand

Bake and shark is a unique Trini street food item that is especially popular at concerts, festivals, and celebrations. It consists of marinated or seasoned pieces of shark meat, sauces, chutneys, and vegetables in a flatbread known as bake. The dish is often associated with Maracas beach which is filled with numerous bake and shark street stalls.Expand

Aloo pie is a Trini dish consisting of fried dough that is filled with mashed potatoes which are flavored with onions, garlic, cumin, and bandhania. It can often be bought at food stands which sell another Trini favorite known as doubles. These fried pies are said to taste the best when paired with chutneys on the side.Expand

Pholourie is a Trini appetizer or a snack that is traditionally prepared and served at religious gatherings or birthday parties. This fritter is made with a split pea batter that is seasoned with hot peppers and various spices. The batter is dropped into hot oil and fried until it develops a golden brown color. Pholouries can also be found at numerous bakeries throughout the island. The snacks are typically served with sauces or chutneys on the side.Expand

Baiganee is a classic Trini snack that can also be served as a side dish. This vegetarian treat consists of sliced eggplant or baigan (hence the name) that is coated in a spicy batter, then deep-fried to golden-brown perfection. It is typically sold by street vendors who often pair it with a tamarind dipping sauce or mango chutney. Baiganee is also quite popular during festivities such as Divali.Expand

Achingly sweet, extra hard, dense, and crunchy, benne balls are popular Tobagonian treats made with brown sugar and benne, which is an African word for sesame seeds. These treats are extremely simple to prepare - brown sugar is heated, combined with sesame seeds, and then the concoction is rolled into a ball and left to set. Benne balls are especially popular at street stalls which are located near the beaches, making these sweets an ideal beach treat – just watch out for your teeth while consuming them!Expand

Saheena is a Trini specialty consisting of flour, split peas powder, saffron, baking powder, and salt. The ingredients are mixed together into a paste which is then placed on taro leaves. The process is repeated and the taro leaves are rolled together, then boiled or steamed. When the concoction has cooled, it is then sliced and fried until golden. The dish is typically served with sauces or chutneys, which are inserted in a split saheena fritter. Like many other Trini dishes, saheena is also derived from the influence of Indian cuisine.Expand

Kachourie is a Trini variation of a popular Indian snack. The flattened ball of dough consists of flour, channa, split peas, and seasonings such as salt, black pepper, turmeric, and chili powder. These dough balls are then fried in oil until golden brown. Unlike the Indian version, where the dough is filled with other ingredients, Trini version has ingredients which are incorporated into the dough. Kachourie is typically served with mango and tamarind chutneys, and this tasty street food snack is especially popular during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.Expand