Curaçao Recipes
A Dutch-Caribbean island of stuffed Edam cheese. Not sure what to eat in Curaçao? Start with Keshi Yena, Guiambo, Bolo Pretu and Arepa di Pampuna. Here are 9 authentic Curaçao recipes, each from a specific region, with cultural context and dietary substitutions for every table.
9 recipes
Keshi YenaWillemstad, Curaçao · medium · 1 h 15 minA shell of Edam or Gouda cheese stuffed with spiced chicken, olives, capers, and raisins, then baked until molten.
Keshi Yena Arepa di PampunaWillemstad, Curaçao · easy · 30 minSweet Curaçaoan pumpkin pancakes, spiced with cinnamon and anise and fried until lacy-edged, a Dutch-Caribbean morning treat.
KadushiWillemstad, Curaçao · medium · 9 h 10 minA thick, green cactus soup with salted fish and okra, a truly local Curaçaoan dish born of the arid island.
Bolo PretuWillemstad, Curaçao · advanced · 10 h 10 minA dark, dense fruitcake of rum-soaked fruit and browning, the celebration cake of Curaçao and the Dutch Antilles.
Stobá di KabrituWillemstad, Curaçao · medium · 3 h 30 minThe celebration stew of Curaçao: goat marinated in lime then slow-braised with onion, tomato, and Antillean spices until it falls from the bone.
GuiamboWillemstad, Curaçao · medium · 9 h 15 minCuraçao's okra soup: a thick, green Antillean gumbo of okra cooked down with salt beef, fish, and shrimp, served with a scoop of funchi.
Pastechi (Curaçao Fried Cheese Turnovers)Willemstad, Curaçao · medium · 1 h 30 minCrescents of soft, slightly sweet dough folded over grated Gouda, crimped and deep-fried until puffed and golden, the breakfast and party snack of Curaçao.
Tutu (Curaçao Cornmeal with Black-Eyed Peas)Willemstad, Curaçao · medium · 9 h 20 minA thick, golden cornmeal mash cooked with soft black-eyed peas, coconut milk, garlic and a little sugar, finished with butter and served with fried fish, saltfish, stoba or cheese.
Balchi di Piska (Curaçao Fish Balls)Willemstad, Curaçao · medium · 1 h 25 minSmall balls of poached white fish ground with onion, sweet pepper, celery, scallion and hot pepper, spiced with nutmeg and cumin, fried golden and served with a tangy tomato sous krioyo.
📋 Teaching Curaçao?A free, printable Country of the Week guide for the classroom: geography, a kid-friendly recipe, and discussion prompts.
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