Goat Water

A thin, brown soup consisting of goat meat, breadfruit, onions, tomatoes, flour, and fresh herbs, goat water is the national dish of Montserrat, a tiny island in the Caribbean. Dumplings, potatoes, and yams are sometimes added to the dish for an extra kick of flavor. Perhaps it's true, perhaps it's superstition, but goat water, also known as mannish water, is considered an aphrodisiac, supposed to provide a boost to male libido. For that reason, it is common to find the dish served at Jamaican weddings, especially to the grooms. Spicy and flavorful, it probably originated in Ireland as an adaptation of the classic Irish stew, with goat meat replacing the beef. Exotic, unique, and unusual, the soup represents all the good things found in Caribbean gastronomy.