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Unique Jamaican Food Combinations
10 Oddly Delicious Jamaican Food Pairings

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Bulla and PearUnique Jamaican Food Combinations | Jamaican Bulla and Pear

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

As a Jamaican, I can admit that we do go a bit crazy with the food combinations. They taste good...but at the same time, they make odd pairings. Not sure what I’m talking about? Well, I’m about to share with you ten of our most, for lack of a better word, unique Jamaican food combinations.

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  1. Bulla and Pear - This one is a classic. Usually referred to as bulla, bulla cake is a delicious molasses-based Jamaican cake flavoured with nutmeg and ginger. It can be light or dark in colour. Small, circular, flat loaves are called bulla. They are easy to make and reasonably priced.

    You can buy bulla anywhere, from bakeries to supermarkets to corner shops. Bulla is popularly eaten with cheese, and we love it. But, once the first pear (what you may call avocado) ripens, it swiftly takes the place of the cheese. The soft, smooth taste and texture of pear go great with the sweeter, harder taste and texture of the bulla cake.

  2. Dumpling and Butter - If Jamaica had an official “poor” people's food menu, this would be on it. But I guarantee you that if you have ever tried it, regardless of your financial standing, you will look forward to having it again. It is simply hot, steaming boiled dumplings with a piece of butter or margarine on top. It is so good! One of my favourite combinations.

  3. Roasted Yam and Saltfish - Roast Yam and saltfish is a classic combo. It isn't typically found in restaurants or made at home. You will most often see it on the stalls of street food and beachside vendors. The popular staple, yellow yam, is roasted with a dash of butter and had with saltfish prepared the same way. While it is all the rage for most Jamaicans, I have never been able to share the same appreciation for this meal. It’s not my favourite, it might be my least favourite on this list.

  4. Fried Fish and Bun - Bun and cheese is quite popular during the easter holidays here in Jamaica (if we are being honest, it's popular year-round). It is a part of our easter tradition. Alongside bun and cheese, we have fish. Jamaicans probably eat the most fried fish during easter. I don’t know who decided to switch things around and pair the bun with the fried fish (usually sprat), but it has become a favourite amongst many of us. I haven’t been daring enough to try this one yet.

  5. Curry Chicken Patty with Cheese - Now, this was introduced to me a few years ago. Patty, especially beef patty, is one of our top go-to snacks. A cheese patty for us is usually a combination of a beef patty with melted cheese. Well, I found out our chicken patty, filled with curry chicken, pairs well with cheese too. While I haven’t tried it (I can’t wrap my head around combining curry anything with cheese), the next time you get a chance to, give it a try and let me know what you think.

  6. Salt Mackerel Rundung - This is one of our well-loved traditional dishes. It is salt mackerel cooked down in coconut milk with herbs and spices. It isn’t a crowd favourite, but if you are open to exploring with your taste buds, this one is worth a try. As the name might have hinted, the salt mackerel makes it salty, while the coconut milk adds sweetness and a creamy texture. The herbs and spices deepen the flavours and add a touch of heat.

  7. Mango Pepperpot - Mango pepperpot is a spicy snack. If you are afraid of heat, you will want to skip this one. “Turned” (half-ripe) mangoes, cut into bite-size pieces, are mixed with salt, scotch bonnet pepper and vinegar. Add them all to a bag and shake, shake, shake. Take a bite if you dare.

  8. Bun and Patty - Another combination worth trying. I know, by now, you have probably heard about our classic patty and coco bread combo, but have you ever thought about swapping out the coco bread for a spiced bun? The sweetness of the bun will surely add an interesting flair to this combo.

  9. Ripe Plantain and Bread - Nothing beats a classic plantain sandwich. This is simply a fried ripe plantain sandwich between slices of hardough bread. Kick it up a notch by adding a fried egg, sausages or bacon.

  10. Grated Coconut and Sugar (coconut trash and sugar) - This one brings me back to my childhood! My mother, like most Jamaican moms, would hand grate and squeeze fresh coconut milk. We would then take the remains (trash), add brown sugar and mix it up. A delightful treat before dinner.

As a bonus, if you love sweet and savoury pairings, the Bulla we spoke about on the list goes well with fried chicken.

So there you have it. 10 unique Jamaican food combinations. How many of these have you tried before and which ones are you excited to give a try?

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References & Sources For Unique Jamaican Food Combinations

  1. Blake, T. (no date) Jamaican snacks - tasty, sumptuous, delectable, My-Island-Jamaica. Available at: https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/jamaican_snacks.html (Accessed: 08 March 2024).
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