The month of October is always awaited with great anticipation by foodies in Belize. That’s because this month kicks off the start of Belize’s Queen Conch Season. If you’ve never tasted conch, you’ve never tasted manna—but in this case, the manna comes from the sea rather than from above!
Like many of Belize’s most popular seafood, the preparation of this tasty mollusk takes many forms, including crispy conch fritters. Enjoy the taste of onions, sweet pepper, garlic, herbs, and a bit of pepper that chefs use to craft this dish. Enjoy it as an afternoon snack or even as a meal, especially when accompanied by a Belikin Beer or a glass of cashew wine.
-
- Conch Fritters at Lily’s Treasure Chest
Meanwhile, conch ceviche showcases every chef’s creativity, especially those who marinate conch in lime before transforming a medley of onions, and tomatoes into an elegantly plated appetizer served with homemade tortilla chips.
Similar: 3 Fantastic Ceviches For Your Ambergris Caye Food Crawl
For those who prefer hearty dishes, conch soup, stew, and chowder, cooked to perfection by Belize culinary wizards, are awesome. A growing universe of tourists look forward to visiting Belize every October and sampling the best of its queen conch recipes. Will you join them this year?
How important is conch season to Belize?
Image courtesy Ray Caye Island Resort
Very important! Conch is the second most valuable fishery in Belize. According to some estimates, conch harvesting is a $10 million+ industry and Belize’s Fisheries Department keeps close tabs on yields. Authorities set a quota of around one million pounds annually, and impose serious fines on fishermen if they attempt to catch conch off-season or harvest immature conch. If warranted, authorities can end the season early. Want to learn more? Read about this vibrant industry here.
Even Belize artisans benefit from every year’s harvest. Conch shells make for some of the most beautiful souvenirs. You’ll find a bonanza of conch shell trinkets in Belize, including jewelry and decorative items.
Where to get your fill of conch
Lily’s Treasure Chest on San Pedro
Planning to come to Belize in October to help kick off the 2023 conch season? Drop in at Lily’s Treasure Chest in San Pedro. This beachfront eatery is considered one of San Pedro’s most happening places. Stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner—-or all three if you fall in love with the place. You’ll find a variety of conch delicacies on the menu.
Photo by @belizemytravels
Or, make time to drop in at The Tipsy Tuna Seaside Sports Bar in Placencia. The laid-back vibe, great food, yummy drinks, and friendly staff could make this your favorite place to return to. One frequent Tipsy Tuna visitor posted this pithy comment on the website: “We went to Tipsy Tuna all three days of our vacation in Placencia…the service is what makes it special. We would have come back a fourth night if we had still been in Placencia.”
Sun, shells, and savings
Your quest for the ultimate conch experience in Belize could even enhance your health, according to scientists who say that conch is a great source of protein. It’s loaded with essential minerals like potassium, zinc, and magnesium.
If you add up all the benefits of time in Belize in October, you would be hard-pressed to find reasons to take a pass on this destination, especially since a recent Kayak.com posting announced round-trip airline tickets to Belize for as little as $308, depending upon where a flight originates.
Featured Photo by Cristina Reyna
