Bake and shark

Bake and shark is a traditional fast food dish of Trinidad and Tobago. This dish is most commonly found as a beach food, sold by vendors on the beaches of Maracas Bay and Manzanilla Beach, as well as other coastal areas in the country.

Ingredients and Preparation

The main components of bake and shark are fried bread (the "bake") and shark meat (the "shark"). The bread is a simple dough, often made with flour, baking powder, salt, and water, which is then deep-fried until it puffs up. The shark is typically marinated in a mixture of herbs and spices before being breaded and fried.

Once the bake and shark are prepared, the dish is assembled by cutting the bread in half and filling it with the fried shark. A variety of condiments and additional fillings are often added, including lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pineapple, coleslaw, and a variety of sauces such as garlic sauce, tamarind sauce, and pepper sauce.

Cultural Significance

Bake and shark has a significant cultural importance in Trinidad and Tobago. It is a popular choice during the country's annual Carnival celebration, and is considered a must-try for tourists visiting the islands. The dish has also gained international recognition, with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain featuring it on his television show No Reservations.

Environmental Controversy

In recent years, there has been controversy surrounding the use of shark meat in bake and shark due to concerns about overfishing and the sustainability of shark populations. Some vendors have started offering alternatives to shark, such as king fish or flying fish, in an effort to make the dish more sustainable.

See Also

• Cuisine of Trinidad and Tobago
• Street food

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