We’ve all seen those pictures of Aruba online. You know – the ones that show the island’s beautiful white sandy beaches, its blazing sunshine…it really does look like paradise.
Whenever I travel, though, I always check out a country’s food scene before I go – it’s always interesting to try something new! Thanks to a collaboration with Digital Visitor, I’ve found out more about Aruban cuisine than I knew before – and now I really want to visit!
Located in the lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean, Aruba has a rich and multicultural history that’s created an intriguing food scene. First inhabited by Amerindians, colonised by Spain and then under Dutch administration, it’s The Netherlands that continue to rule the country and they have done since the 1630s.
Because of its history, the island of Aruba is known for food that is influenced by over 90 nationalities including The Netherlands, other Caribbean islands and parts of South America. The previous period of Spanish rule has contributed to the food scene too, while Asian and Oriental settlers have made their mark through the popularity of dishes such as nasi goreng and various curries.
I was surprised to learn just how strong the Dutch influence is: you’ll find the traditional wafers known as stroopwafels all over the island. These two very thin waffle layers are sandwiches with a caramel-like filling, and are a popular sweet treat on Aruba.
If you’re looking for a taste of Aruban cuisine that’s easy to replicate at home, then I definitely recommend speculaas biscuits. Again part of the island’s Dutch influence, these biscuits traditionally come in the form of windmill-shaped biscuits and are beautifully spiced – they smell like Christmas! If you’re interested in giving them a try, you can buy spice mixes and moulds online here – I’m looking forward to trying mine out!
If you’re interested in visiting Aruba, then you’ll be pleased to know that you currently have the chance to win a luxury holiday to the island – just visit this Facebook app to enter! The competition closes on June 10th.
This post was written in collaboration with Digital Visitor.