When their Caribbean vacation on this island retreat is over, most people have life-long memories of the sunshine sparkling on the water, the warm sweet smell of the breeze, and most especially, they remember the fresh delicious taste of the food. U.S. Virgin Islands cooking, like so many cuisines in the Caribbean, is based on the freshest of ingredients. From sea-fresh fish and shell fish, to sun-ripened fruits and vegetables such as cassava, okra and gooseberry, these islands have an endless variety of flavors and food sensations. Now, after booking St. John house rentals, you can get ready for your visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands with a brand new cookbook, fresh from the island.

Every year, the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience is a week of incredible food and festivities held on the island of St. Croix. Forbes has called it one of the ten best international food and wine festivals in the world. This year, the festival released its own cookbook called St. Croix Food & Wine Experience: A Culinary Guide to the Island Featuring Recipes from Island and Celebrity Chefs. The book is available on Amazon.com, and offers 120 pages of recipes from local chefs, as well as beautiful photos and great tips about visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. It pairs local stews and desserts with wonderful wines, and tropical island images.

If you consider an island retreat here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can expect to taste some incredible regional dishes, such as red snapper with hot lime sauce, Caribbean lobster, kallaloo, herring gundy, fungi and the classic peas and rice.

Book St. John vacation rentals and come taste the Caribbean at its finest. While you’re here, pick up a cookbook and see if you can recreate these luscious tropical flavors when your incredible vacation is over, and you are back at home.