There are very few things that evoke authentic Bahamian nostalgia like conch salad. I have been in a torrid love affair with the delicious taste of conch salad for decades. And when I decided to start a blog I promised to write about the things that I love. And food wise conch salad ranks right up there with chocolate. 

For those of you who do not know, the Queen Conch (latin Strombus gigas) is a large edible sea snail. Yes, conch is a snail, but believe me it is delicious  Contrary to what you may be thinking the conch is not slimy and does not taste like a slug . Actually, the taste of conch is akin to calamari, it is quite chewy and on its own does not posses an overwhelming taste but prepared properly with the right ingredients it can accentuate the ideal dish. In the Bahamas conch is prepared in a variety of ways, including crack conch (fried conch), conch fritters, stew conch & grilled conch. Basically, "BAHAMIANS PUT CONCHS IN ERRYTING." 

The Queen Conch is wrapped in Bahamian mythology, with many locals believing that conch is an aphrodisiac that stimulates the sexual desire of those who partake in it's flesh. In particular the consumption of the sex organs of the conch are believed to add potency to the virility of a man's sex drive. The enticing way that this simple/magical creature has mystified locals for many years may explain how it has become  a staple of Bahamian diet. 

But back to conch salad, it is so simple but yet so delectable. The ingredients for a bowl of conch salad are simple. One conch, fresh from the ocean cleaned properly and diced into 1/2  inch slices. Additionally, you will need one onion, one tomato approximately 3 or 4 limes, 1 green bell pepper, scotch bonnet pepper, salt and pepper. The onion, tomato, conch and bell pepper are diced into small pieces and mixed together in a bowl. The limes are squeezed over the ingredients to extract the juice. Additionally, add salt and pepper to season to taste. Additional ingredients such as oranges, lemons can be added to personal preference.

I know so simple but so delicious! 

Recently the tropical conch salad has emerged in the Bahamian community which deviates from the original expectation of what conch salad is, to include things like apples, pineapples and mangoes.  Just goes to show you that conch tastes good with anything! 

You can watch this Bahamian delicacy made by local experts if you are traveling to the Bahamas at Arawak Cay, a local hot spot for Bahamian delicacy. The experience is tantalizing, as you watch the local vendor prepare your conch salad, you are tantalized by the speed and accuracy of their cut with the sharp machete, without cutting off their fingers. As you watch the magical dish take shape, it is as if your taste buds come alive as you remember the last time you tasted the sour sensation and can hardly wait to relive the experience. 

It is a once and a lifetime experience that is sure not to be missed. You definitely need to scratch this one off of your bucket list. And yes this is snail and it is delicious!