Caribbean

Adapting a technique we learned in Barbados, grilled mahi mahi gets a flavor boost by saucing it twice — first with a bright lime and brown sugar rub before grilling, and then a fiery but fruity habanero sauce afterward. 

You can substitute swordfish or halibut, but if the pieces are thicker than 1 inch, they will take slightly longer to cook. If the fish you purchase was previously frozen or seems particularly wet, refrigerate it on a paper towel-lined plate for a few hours before marinating. This will remove excess liquid that will otherwise prevent the fish from browning.

Haitian households celebrate their country’s Independence Day with bowls of this comforting soup. The national holiday falls on New Year’s Day, when Haitians walk from house to house to pay friends and family the first visits of the New Year. Although this is a vegetarian version, add small cubes of browned beef stew meat along with the pumpkin, if you like. Simply remove and then return them to the pot just as you do the hot peppers. This recipe was inspired by Norzina, a lumber and charcoal vendor and microcredit client of Fonkoze, Whole Planet Foundation’s implementing partner in Haiti.