Spice plays an important role in Haitian cuisine.
Haiti has a diverse cuisine, but a few spices are central to Haitian food. There is a well-recognized spice mix that consists of green onions, garlic, parsley and bell peppers. Other ingredients are sometimes added to this, like cilantro (coriander), cloves, thyme and celery stalks. The mix forms the base for many Haitian dishes.
Scallions
Scallions are another name for green onions, which are a form of onion that lack a fully developed bulb. The name can, however, also refer to immature onions and shallots. They have a milder taste than normal onions, and are often served raw in salads, especially in parts of Asia. In Haiti, they are fried as part of a spice mixture; the inclusion of scallions gives the mixture an onion flavor without being overpowering.
Parsley
Parsley is a versatile herb used around the world. It was originally native to the Mediterranean. It comes in two main varieties, curly and Italian, or flat-leafed. The form favored in Haitian cuisine is flat-leaf, because it has a stronger flavor and is a more resilient plant. Parsley is often used a garnish, but it can also be used in a spice mixture as well.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers, or sweet peppers, come in a variety of different colors. Red, yellow and orange are the most commonly used, while green peppers, the unripe form, are also popular. Bell peppers are part of the same family as chilli peppers, but lack the ability to produce capsicum, the chemical that generates chili heat. In Haitian cuisine, they are fried with other spices to soften them up, releasing flavor and breaking the vegetable down.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most commonly used flavorings in the world. It comes in the form of a bulb, which consists of a number of cloves. The cloves have a pungent, heady flavor and smell, which grows milder during cooking. They are a common ingredient in many dishes, and often form the base of sauces. They work particularly well with onions, which is why they are paired with scallions in the Haitian spice mix.
