A fillet of fried flying fish in a salt bread bun. Fish cutters are made with a variety of fish. You can use flying fish, steak fish, dolphin, tuna and sardines. However don't be alarmed about the dolphin. The dolphin we use is the fish called Dorado or Mahi Mahi and is not any relation or similarity to the porpoise. Dolphin, the mammal, infrequently seen in Barbados' waters are valued and never caught.
The most common of these cutters is the flying fish cutter. Flying fish is Barbados' national fish but it can also be found in other Caribbean islands. The flying fish is scaled, soaked in lime and salt then seasoned with Barbados' own seasoning before being fried.
Bajan seasoning is a blend of fresh herbs such as thyme, marjoram, spring onions, onions, garlic, parsley, basil and scotch bonnet pepper with spices such as clove, black pepper, paprika and salt. The fish is fried until it is a golden brown colour. You can nice up your cutter by adding lettuce, tomato or even cucumbers just like the famous cheese cutter sold here in Barbados. You can also toast the bread and add a dressing.
If you travel around the four (4) main towns in Barbados which are Speightstown, Holetown, Bridgetown and Oistins you are sure to find a fish market where a variety of fish are sold and cleaned by fish vendors. A popular option for lunch is a fish cutter which is fried flying fish or a fillet of fish sandwiched between a Bajan salt bread.
Fish Cutter