Foods of Cabo Verde

Cape Verde’s nature offers plentiful foods from the sea, but also fresh fruits, vegetable and specialties. Their unique cultural African-European blend is also reflected in the creol dishes.

Because in Cape Verde, people carry the traditions from Europeans in the past, you will often find that they use imported foods rather than local ones. These circumstances are certainly unfortunate because the islands produce amazing foods on volcanic soil and a nearly unpolluted marine environment.

This issue hasn’t improved with the more commercially-oriented hotels built on the tourist islands.

Thus it is a challenge when you value fresh, local food and drinks, like we do!

This overview of locally-sourced foods and drinks of Cape Verde can help you out with ordering the best-quality foods:

Local and fresh fishes and seafood in Cape Verde are one of its kind!

Cape Verde has one of the world’s freshest and cleanest sea foods. Their unique position far off the coast of Africa somewhat keeps the pollution at bay. Small fishers sustainably catch locally sourced seafood. Thus, if you wonder if you can ever access and enjoy truly fresh, clean, and environmentally sustainable fish or sea foods, you can order precisely that when you are in Cape Verde.

Unlike in most parts of the world, fish and seafood are one of the most affordable food you can buy in Cape Verde, as it is the richest food source available.

Imported fishes and seafood in Cape Verde? Not a joke!

But be aware that – despite the local fishery – many sea fish and sea food dishes are imported from other countries to Cape Verde. This is sometimes due to economic reasons, but also cultural influences from European that were brought as traditions generations ago.

Thus if you like to order local fish, avoid the typical dish “bacalhau”, because this originally Portuguese dish is prepared with imported dried and salted cod fish.

Also, always ask if the fish is from the local fishery. In the native language creole, you would ask: ” Es-li é peixe d’terra?” which translates to “is this a local fish?”

Avoid other types of seafood like shrimp, which does not occur in cape Verde. Thus, we set up the list below to point out the most common local sea fish and foods:

Local sea fish (peixes)

• Garoupa (grouper)
• Filet de Atum (tuna steak)
• Djeu (local fish)
• Olho Largo (local fish)
• Cavala (king mackerel)

Local sea foods (mariscos)

• Lagosta (lobster)
• Lula (Squid)
• Polvo (octopus)
• Buzio (clams)
• Purchave (local sea food)
• Lapa (sea food)

Impressions of Cape Verde fishery and its significance for Cape Verde but also colonial history and the impact of tourism elaborated by Ali Sandler URI study:

Fruits and Vegetables of Cape Verde

Despite Cabo Verde’s dry climate, you will find ripe exotic fruits at the local markets and restaurants. Some fruits are imported from continental Africa, but some are grown on the islands, mainly in Santo Antão.

Local fruits

In Cape Verde these tropical fruits come straight from Santo Antão:

Local vegetable

If you are a fish-and-chips-person, I do get that. But I highly, highly recommend trying a fish with local vegetable for once – they are just spectacular! I know, vegetables are rarely called spectacular, but I need to emphasize how worth it is to taste those Africa-grown sweet veggies! I haven’t found a similar experience in Europe, yet.

Typical local vegetables:

• Batata doce (yellow sweet potatoes)
• Mandioca (manioc root)
• Batata inglesa (potatoes)
• Beans from Santo Antão
• green peas from Santo Antão

Typical Cape Verde Dishes

Cabo Verdean cuisine is a unique blend of African and European influences, with dishes that reflect the country’s history and geography. Seafood is a staple of Cabo Verdean cuisine, as the country is located off the coast of West Africa and has a rich fishing tradition. Here are some popular foods in Cabo Verde:

1. Cachupa: This is the national dish of Cabo Verde, a stew made with beans, corn, vegetables, and meat or fish.
2. Pastel: These are deep-fried turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
3. Caldo de peixe: This is a fish soup made with onions, tomatoes, and other vegetables.
4. Grilled fish: Fresh fish, such as tuna or grouper, is often grilled and served with vegetables and rice.
5. Bolo de coco: This is a coconut cake, often served as a dessert.
6. Cuscus: A steamed semolina served with fish, vegetables, and sauces.
7. Feijoada: A bean stew made with meat, often served with rice.
8. Espetada: Skewered grilled meat, usually beef, served with rice and vegetables.

Overall, Cabo Verdean cuisine is flavorful and diverse, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage and natural resources. Always ask if the ingredients are locally sourced!

Drinks of Cape Verde

Non-Alcoholic drinks

• Café d’fogo (coffee from the island of Fogo)
• Different local herbal teas (ervas)
• Fruit smoothies (papaya is always fresh)

Alcoholic drinks

Many of the alcoholic drinks are made from local sugar cane – thus on rum or rum mixed with sugar cane molasses.

• “Grogue” is the locally-produced rum (from sugar cane)
• “Pontche” is a sweet grogue-based drink
• Portugues beer “Estrela”
• Vinho d fogo “chã” or “sodad (white and red wine from the island of fogo)

The white wine from Fogo is rare and delicious, sought by many wine lovers and sellers. The grapes are grown in volcanic soil under sunny conditions. The quality is unique, and the production is small-scale.

Thus the wine is rare and very difficult to obtain outside Cape Verde, despite the demand. Even on Cape Verde Island, the wine is only sometimes available, as some years the production is too small. Especially the white wine “Sodad” is spectacular and hard to find.

Other Specialties of Cape Verde

• White goat cheese (queijo de cabra)
• black molasses (mel d’cana) from Santo Antão
• Doce de goiaba (guava-based sweet)
• Doce de papaya (papaya-based sweet)