A spice mix of Indian origin, Colombo has become a key element of West Indian cuisine. Traditionally composed of turmeric, coriander seeds, cumin, fenugreek, mustard seeds and black pepper, this preparation with a fragrant flavour, milder than curry, perfectly enhances the taste of vegetables or certain foods such as chicken, prawns, pork, swordfish or lobster. The famous and delicious West Indian chicken colombo is in fact one of the flagship recipes of Guadeloupe and Martinique!
Each year at the end of July, the seaside resort of Saint-François, Guadeloupe, hosts the colombo festival, including a culinary fair, a look at the different stages of the colombo preparation process, shows, and of course tasty colombos to sample!