Curry powder.
Goat curry is a popular Caribbean dish that combines the exotic spices of curry with the rich flavor of goat meat. The combination produces a dish that is enjoyed on many of the Caribbean islands, where the cuisines of India and Africa have merged into dishes with a peppery flavor and rich, satisfying textures.
Goats are hardy creatures that have a natural instinct to navigate and explore. This keeps them active and produces lean red meat. Although domesticated, the flavor of goat meat is richer and somewhat aggressive compared to beef. This makes the lean cuts very adaptable for hothouses, barbecues, and curries.
Curry seasonings often include ground coriander.
Curry is common throughout Asia. The flavor profile of curry depends on the region, with different areas of the world using different combinations of spices and different levels of hotness. The curries most often found in the Caribbean have their roots in Indian cuisine. Within the chain of islands that forms the Caribbean, the degree of influence of the culinary traditions of the Indian subcontinent on local cuisine varies widely. The spices used in goat curry have also been adapted to local availability.
Caribbean goat curry uses curry powder made from local spices that grow on the islands or are readily available. Almost without fail, two spices that regularly appear in both homemade and commercial curry powder are turmeric and cumin. The Indian-inspired goat curry also includes coriander, cumin seeds, fennel, and sometimes the sweetness of cloves and ginger. Some commercial manufacturers of curry powder produce a separate curry seasoning mix for meats such as goat and duck to complement the richness of the meat.
Caribbean cooks often rely on curry powder mixes to make goat curry, largely because it’s easier than grinding each spice. Goat meat is widely available throughout the Caribbean. Land use laws make it easier to raise goats in urban and rural areas by providing cooks with fresh goat meat from backyard cattle.
Caribbean cooks often add the popular Scotch Bonnet pepper to goat curries to intensify the heat. Pre-seasoning or marinating the goat meat before making the dish is a tradition in places like Jamaica, where the goat curry preparation may also include thyme, onion, ginger, fresh tomato or tomato sauce. The addition of coconut milk is common in the preparation of goat curry in the Caribbean. In addition to adding more flavor, the coconut milk helps tenderize the goat meat during cooking.