Although located on the northeast coast of South America, Suriname is considered a Caribbean country, originally a plantation society.

The bulk of the population comprises Dutch, Afro-Surinamese (Creole) and Javanese with small percentages of Chinese, Amerindian, Lebanese and Maroons (descendants of runaway slaves).

Traditional Surinamese food reflects this rich blend of ethnic, cultural and religious diversities. Pepper pot is a flavorful Caribbean stew with varying recipes but it is typically made by simmering meat such as pork, chicken or beef with cassava juice and seasonings of hot peppers, vinegar and garlic. Food stalls called warungs serve up inexpensive fried noodle and rice dishes. Local soft ripened cheeses are popular and seafood and vegetables abound, served simply grilled, roasted or stewed with vegetables and chilies.

Customary beverages include ginger beer and mauby made from the bark and fruit of trees native to the northern Caribbean.—Leska Tomash