Subscribe for all my updates and don't miss a thing! Sign me up!

Jamaican Vegetables
The Top 5 Most Loved Green Vegetables!

Sharing Is Caring! Share this awesome content with your friends now.

start_here_if_new_image_link

New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS!
Click Here and see why over 140,000 fans are raving about my YouTube Channel!

Jamaican Vegetables | Jamaican Cabbage SaladJamaican Vegetables | Jamaican Cabbage Salad

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Are Jamaicans big vegetable eaters? For the most part yes, not as much as they love “meat” but they still do eat vegetables a lot. In most restaurants steamed or raw vegetable salads are almost always served as a side to most dishes.
Most dishes don’t seem quite complete without it. So are vegetables the star of the dish, absolutely not, but without them the dish is incomplete. 

New! How much do you love Jamaica?

Join our growing list of well-thinking Jamaica-loving folks who are demonstrating what a friendly, helpful and fun Jamaican community looks like. Click Here to learn more.


And, if you ever need a trustworthy and knowledgeable local guide, consider booking a private tour with us!


With that being said we must also talk about how limited Jamaicans are with their choice of vegetables. As a child growing up in Jamaica you probably would for a very long time believe that the only vegetables in existence are callaloo, cabbage, bok choy, lettuce and a few others.

The chances of you finding vegetables like eggplant, asparagus, kale and even cauliflower in a Jamaican household is slim, especially in the rural areas. The main reasons for this are unlike the other vegetables mentioned, these are not grown in large quantities here in Jamaica and they are also most times quite expensive.

Let's look at some of the most popular green vegetables eaten in Jamaica and the dishes we use them in.

1. Callaloo

Jamaican Vegetables | Jamaican CallalooJamaican Vegetables | Jamaican Callaloo

Of course, callaloo is the first vegetable to come to mind. As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure that if you search “Jamaican Vegetables” in google, callaloo will be one of, if not the first to pop up. This green leafy vegetable which is quite reminiscent of spinach has long stalks and big broad leaves.

Callaloo is typically found in the markets, vendors on the streetside and many people even grow their own in their backyards. Similar to spinach, when prepared because of its high water content it does shrink significantly. Callaloo is usually cooked and used in many Jamaican dishes such as Pepper Pot Soup, Callaloo rice, callaloo and saltfish and so much more. It is sometimes even paired and cooked with small pieces of fried chicken.

The most common way of preparing callaloo however is to simply sauté it with other herbs and vegetables. When preparing this vegetable always remember to strip the stalk and soak it in salt water to get rid of any possible worms hidden in the leaves.

2. Pok Choy

Do you know what Pok Choy is? No? Think again, if you are a lover of Chinese dishes, especially their stir-fry you have definitely had pok choy at some point. It is also called Bok Choy or Chinese cabbage. This vegetable has thick white crunchy stems with broad green leaves.

As with callaloo it is normally found in the markets but is commonly grown in the backyards of those living in rural communities. It is definitely a favourite of mine but is it enjoyed by most people. It is normally stir-fried with herbs and spices or combined with other vegetables like callaloo and cabbage. 

3. Cabbage

Cabbage is not unique to Jamaica but it is the ways that it is prepared here that make it stand out. Jamaican dishes are all about that extra kick of heat and combinations of herbs and spices and our vegetables are treated the same.

The Jamaican steam cabbage is a favourite of many. It is normally prepared with a variety of peppers, onion, carrots, scallion and thyme, making it a very visually appealing and tasty dish. Cabbage is also used to make our Jamaican coleslaw, paired with saltfish or any fried meat such as chicken or pork.

4. Okra

Jamaican Vegetables | Jamaican Okra FarmJamaican Vegetables | Jamaican Okra Farm

The okra, a popular Jamaican vegetable, is supposed to have been brought to the island by West African slaves. This green-fingered vegetable belongs to the pepper family and is longer than a jalapeño pepper but lacks the heat and spice of regular pepper.

It also contains a slimy interior that, when cooked for brief periods, reduces the slime factor. It shrinks down a lot when cooked for a long time, such as in soups or stews. Okra is commonly used in soups and is frequently served with fish.

Okra is commonly found in Jamaican ital dishes, which is popular among Rastafarians who maintain a strict vegetarian diet. It is also used in the popular “strongback” drink for men.

5. Cho Cho

The Jamaican Cho Cho, also known as chayote, is a strange member of the melon, gourd, squash, and pumpkin family. This Jamaican Cho Cho is a fruit, not a vegetable but is commonly prepared as most vegetables are, whether sauteed or boiled.

Southern Mexico and Jamaica are supposed to be the origins of the Jamaican Cho Cho. The Jamaican Cho Cho, unlike its many-seeded siblings, only has one seed.

Typically, the fruit is planted entire and on its side. From the bottom of the fruit, the Jamaican Cho Cho seed sends out its root and stem. The vines are trained to overhead support, which allows the fruit to hang and be harvested easily from below. It's great in soups, stews, and steamed veggie meals.

These are the most common green vegetables used in Jamaica and they are all staples in our Jamaican cuisine.

You might like these

Sharing IS Caring! Please help me get the message out by sharing this article with your friends on social media (links below). Thnx ;-)


If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, to get even more

It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica! 

Return to Jamaican Food Recipes from Jamaican Vegetables 
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Jamaican Vegetables

References & Sources For Jamaican Vegetables

  1. Shopping at the Jamaican Market | Must-Have Items, https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/shopping-at-the-jamaican-market-must-have-items.html
Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

JAMAICA_ON_A_BUDGET_EBOOK_COVER_LEAN

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise!

JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget!

I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

my_island_jamaica_channel_tv

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Jamaica_subscribe_button

Read More ...

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!


P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.


copyscape
Back To The Top Of This Page

Like My Site? Please Click Here To Share It With Your Friends

Home   |   JOIN US   |   Site Search   |   Have Your Say   |   Archives   |   Old Archives   |   Contact   |   Disclaimer   |   TIP ME!   |   Link To Us


Do like I did! Share your passion
(about your city, hobby or experience) and make a living from it. Click Here to see how
.

By Wellesley Gayle   |   Copyright © 2007-2024 My-Island-Jamaica.com   |   All rights Reserved.   |   Privacy Policy