Provisions

The Rousseau sisters’ most celebrated cookbook, named after the provision grounds where enslaved people in the Caribbean grew their own food and kept their culinary traditions alive. This vegetarian cookbook presents 150 recipes built around the fruits, vegetables, roots, and grains that form the true foundation of Caribbean cooking.

Why Start Here

Provisions is the book that best represents what the Rousseau sisters do: connect Caribbean food to its history while making it feel modern and exciting to cook. The vegetarian focus is not a limitation but a revelation. By stripping away the proteins, you see the cuisine’s real architecture, the tropical produce, the spice combinations, the techniques for coaxing deep flavor from simple ingredients.

The recipes balance tradition and innovation. You will find faithful preparations of Caribbean staples alongside creative dishes like Ackee Tacos with Island Guacamole and Haitian Riz Djon Djon Risotto. The personal stories and historical context woven throughout give the cooking meaning beyond the plate.

What to Expect

A 320-page hardcover with 150 vegetarian recipes spanning the full range of Caribbean cuisine. Named one of the New Yorker’s Best Food Books of 2018. Some specialty ingredients required, but the book provides guidance on sourcing. The cooking ranges from straightforward to moderately involved, with some multi-component recipes that reward patience.