Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Jose Luis Zapata was in town for a photo shoot at Xunantunich, and he was able to stop in Succotz at Benny's Kitchen to try some gibnut.  Benny's does it right!

"So if you are wondering why it is called 'Royal Rat' in Belize it is because the Paca or Gibnut is scientifically classified as a rodent and when the British media learnt that Queen Elizabeth was fed Gibnut, they headlined their newspapers, 'Queen Eats Rat.'  Here in Belize everyone took it lightly because we are cool like that and hence the dish was referred to as 'Royal Rat.'  So remember to ask for and try our famous 'Royal Rat' if you haven’t.  It is truly a Belizean delicacy"

We agree that to really get to know a place, you must try the local food.  Prince Harry has been doing just that...but has he tried the Royal Rat yet?

"But if you had to nail it down to just one iconic Belizean dish, it would have to be coconut white rice and red kidney beans served with stewed chicken and chunky potato salad and fried ripe plantains. For added flavour, locals spice the dish up with one of several locally produced habanero based hot sauces. When ordering, if you would like to sound like a local, you would say it in one word: “riceandbeanschickenandsalad”."  

Thanks to Selec Ta for the great picture!