The Delectable
You haven't savour your taste buds if you haven't had some of the delectable food from Jamaica. |
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I can speak authoritatively on Jamaican food since, not only do I eat it, I also prepared a few of the dishes. Thanks to my belated grandmother "Mammy" - an expert chef, mother and disciplinarian.
Our food is truly a celebration of the diverse cultures we boast- but with a touch of novelty and innovation. The Arawaks [or Tainos]- the island's earliest recorded inhabitants, contributed the famous 'Jerk' idea.
I learnt also that it was the English- who captured the island from the Spanish, that brought the concept of patties to the island. Today, Jamaican Patties are now a world favourite!
The Indian influence is dominant in our curry dishes. Today, we not only have curry meats, but curried vegetables and fruits!
The annual Westmoreland Curry Festival provides a wide array of appealing curry dishes. Incidentally, my former high school- Manning's High, provides the venue.
Some of the popular Jamaican dishes we feature includes...
[Click Here for a list of free recipes]
- 'The National Dish':
[Ackee and Saltfish] I have not yet met a fellow Jamaican who does not relish this dish. This is usually served with roasted breadfruit or boiled bananas. It is a Sunday morning breakfast favorite!
- Curried Chicken
Curried chicken and dumpling is one of my personal favourite!
- Curried Goat:
...is not not only popular but a delicacy as well.
- Oxtail Stew:
What's the best Jamaican Cookbook?
Find out here - Manish Water:
Also known as 'power water' and 'goat belly soup'. This is a must at funerals or indeed any large gathering, including traditional dance parties.
- Stewed Peas
- Brown Stew Chicken
- Mackerel Run Dung:
Another breakfast favourite.
- The Jerk Dishes
Jerk Chicken, Jerk Fish, Jerk Pork, etc. One of the 'brand' food from Jamaica, Jerk dishes can be had at any of the top hotels we have and even on the roadside -if you prefer that, courtesy of the 'Drum Pan' chefs.
Jamaican Jerk is an international favourite. Of course by now you know that it is the Jamaican allspice that is the core ingredient in our jerk preparations.
- Rice & Peas & Chicken:
Yes, that's actually the name of the dish! It is possibly the most popular dish here.
- Patties:
Now famous the world over! And hey, I now owe my US based co-worker Rukhsana, over 100 patties! Whenever I ask her for a favour she usually says, 'that's another Jamaican patty'.
- Festivals:
I love them unending! Festivals are usually served with our Jerk meats.
- Fritters:
- Fried Plantains
- Fish & Bammy
- Gungo Peas Soup &
- Escoveitched Fish
New! Make sure you don't miss the new Pictures of Jamaican Food page. All pictures!
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..and what's for dessert?
There is:
- Banana Bread
- Sweet Potato Pone
- Coconut Drops
- Gizzadas
- Toto
- Fruit Cake
- Gingerbread
- Rum Cake, & aunt Estell's favourite...
- ...Salt Fish fritters
- and much Jamaican desserts here!
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..and the Drinks/Juices?
I can easily recollect:
- Soursop Juice
- Carrot Juice
- Sorrel: (with the rum!)
Most popular at Christmas time.
- Jamaican Rum Punch
- Blended Roots Drinks:
These have become increasingly popular. They are believed to help with masculinity [if you know what I mean]. I had one brand which had no less than 15 different roots ingredient!
- Sangster's Rum Cream liqueur
A favourite the world over!
- Coconut Water:
Cool and refreshing!
- Coffee:
How could I forget coffee? Jamaica's Blue Mountain Coffee is world premium.
...all Jamaican style
Learn more about drinks on my Jamaican Drinks page and feel free to try some of the the Jamaican drink recipes.
..and the Tasty Fruits?
In addition, to the popular Soursop and Coconut, there are:
- Naseberry:
My family has loads of trees around the old family house in the country.
- Jackfruit
- June Plum
- Mangoes:
Of all kinds, names, shapes and sizes. My least favourite- the 'stringy', but overall they are sumptuous!
- Jamaican Apple
- Custard Apple
- Sugar Cane.
not sure about the classification, but there you go)
- Avocado Pear
- Guava and
- Guinep
- Star Apple:
Despite the stain it can emanates, I can't get enough of it....really tasty!
- and more.
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Do a quick search of the entire site.
...even more informative pages about Jamaica below:
- Jamaican Products/Services
- Categorized list of foods eaten in Jamaica
- Profile of Jamaica
- Pictures from Jamaica
- Vacation in Jamaica
- Real Estate in Jamaica
- Jamaican Snacks
- Our Discussion Forums
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