REUNION
Reunionese Gastronomy
The Gastronomy of Reunion Islande
Born on an island ideally located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Reunion Island's cuisine has been nourished by culinary traditions that have arrived with new inhabitants from all over the world: Malagasy, Asian, Indian or African
The culinary specialities of Reunion Island
Spicy and tasty, Creole or mixed: many specialities from around the world have mixed together to offer Reunion Island unique recipes that favour peppers (cabris, or martin, which is sometimes called "bird pepper" because this species is responsible for its spread). Just like spices such as the very fashionable Curcuma sometimes called Safran Péi, which is used as a composition for Curry. You will recognize among the famous Creole culinary specialities: chili candy bites; the famous curry, Reunionese samoussas (smaller than those of India) without forgetting the Creole pâté or sweet potato cake still...
As for the "gratin de chouchou", also called Christophine, it describes the name of a courgette grown in the Salazie circus. However, the island's cuisine thus gives pride of place to meats such as smoked sausages, which are used to make the iconic Rougail sausage, known as the local dish par excellence, most often served with rice.
The famous rougail sausage.
Travelling on the island of Reunion Island also means sitting down to eat during a meal to discover the famous rougail sausage.
With for main meat sausages cut into thin slices, to which we will add to the sandstone of the preparation a crushed garlic then onions to simmer, 4-5 red tomatoes to reduce when cooking, with why not a capris pepper that can be garnished with a pinch of turmeric.
Otherwise, the "gratin de chouchou" is a great classic of Creole cuisine. A convivial dish, the chouchou vert is a large courgette or green pear that is one of the vegetables grown on Reunion Island. Cut into strips before being baked with a béchamel sauce, it turns out to be a sweet treat on the plate. Not to mention the recipes from the Indian Ocean: let's mention the must-have fish curry served with red beans, rice and Cilaos lentils. Also taste the zourite stew, a traditional Reunionese dish cooked from octopus, rice, tomatoes, turmeric and cooked steamed in wine.
Traditional rum from Reunion island
Initiate yourself to the tasting of a traditional rum after an enriching visit to the distillery; those on Reunion Island are renowned among the best of the Indian Ocean islands!
The must-see visits to the Savanna distilleries, the Rivière du Mât, or the Saga du Rhum museum will satisfy all your desires! Not to mention the fresh fruit drinks of victoria pineapple, mango, coconut or lychee to be enjoyed at the Saint-Paul market time, which are a real must!
Our advice to accompany your aperitif: start with the famous chili candy bites. Grind cape peas, onions, add a pinch of turmeric and a piece of ginger. Once rested, the dough thus obtained will be shaped into small balls to fry in hot oil. Pepper candies can be served with rice or mango stew. Simply delicious!
