October 27, 2023

traditional Jamaican foods

Jamaica is a beautiful island nation known for its lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine. Jamaican food reflects the island's diverse cultural influences, blending African, Spanish, British, Indian, and Chinese flavours and ingredients. Many traditional Jamaican dishes feature staples like rice, beans, plantains, cassava, spices, and fresh seafood. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most popular and iconic traditional foods in Jamaican cuisine.

Main Dishes

Ackee and Saltfish

  • The national dish of Jamaica, combining salty codfish with the buttery ackee fruit
  • Ackee grows locally in Jamaica, while salted cod was imported by the British during colonial rule
  • When cooked together, the ackee takes on the flavour of the saltfish
  • Often enjoyed for breakfast or brunch in Jamaica

Jerk Chicken or Pork

  • Chicken or pork that is marinated then grilled over pimento wood
  • The jerk marinade includes allspice berries, Scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, garlic, and other robust seasonings
  • Imparts a spicy, smoky, aromatic flavour to the meat
  • A cooking technique developed by Jamaican Maroons (escaped slaves)

Brown Stew Chicken

  • Chicken braised in a savoury sauce with onions, tomatoes, garlic, thyme, and soy sauce
  • Results in very tender, flavorful chicken in a rich brown gravy
  • Usually served with rice and beans and fried plantains

Curry Goat

  • Spicy curry made with goat meat, onions, garlic, ginger, thyme, scotch bonnet chiles
  • Reflects influence of Indian immigrants brought to Jamaica by the British
  • Slow-cooked until the goat meat is very tender
  • Often served with rice and peas or roti flatbread

Oxtail Stew

  • Made with oxtails braised until tender in a rich gravy or sauce
  • Includes onions, garlic, scallions, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers
  • Takes hours to prepare, resulting in fall-off-the-bone meat
  • Often accompanied by broad beans

Sides

Rice and Peas

  • Rice and kidney beans cooked in coconut milk
  • The “peas” are actually beans but called peas traditionally
  • Seasoned with onion, garlic, scotch bonnet pepper, thyme
  • Essential side dish in Jamaica served with most entrees

Fried Plantains

  • Green or ripe plantains sliced and fried in oil
  • Can be served ripe and sweet or unripe and more starchy
  • Often served as a side dish to add some sweetness to a savory meal

Roast Breadfruit

  • Breadfruit roasted or fried until browned and tender
  • A starchy fruit that is a dietary staple in Jamaica
  • Takes on a mildly sweet flavour when roasted

Festivals

  • Sweet deep-fried dough eaten as a snack or dessert
  • Made from flour, milk, sugar, and baking powder
  • Can be flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla

Bammy

  • Flatbreads made from grated cassava
  • Often served as a base for fish or other toppings
  • Has a delicious mild flavor and soft texture

Desserts

Gizzada

  • Cookie made with grated coconut, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg
  • Shaped into a pinwheel and baked until lightly browned
  • Sweet and savory flavours with a crisp, crumbly texture

Grater Cake

  • Spiced cake using grated cassava and coconut
  • Gets its name from the grater used to process the cassava
  • Dense and moist, often topped with citrus glaze or frosting

Toto

  • Dessert made from grated coconut, cassava, raisins soaked in rum, vanilla and spice
  • Formed into a cylindrical shape and steamed in banana leaves
  • The banana leaves impart flavor and the toto has a soft, pudding-like texture

Blue Drawers

  • Sweet deep fried dough fritters made with flour, sugar, baking powder
  • Takes its name from their blue color after cooked and stacked
  • Crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, often dusted with powdered sugar

Peanut Punch

  • A thick, creamy beverage made from grated coconut, condensed milk, peanut punch and rum
  • Has a sweet, nutty flavour, often garnished with nutmeg
  • A traditional Jamaican Christmas drink, but enjoyed year-round

As you can see, traditional Jamaican cuisine is diverse and full of mouthwatering flavours. From fiery jerk chicken to starchy bammy breadfruit to sweet and spicy desserts, iconic island dishes reflect Jamaica's cultural melting pot. Next time you're craving something delicious and comforting, try cooking up one of these traditional Jamaican recipes! Let the aromas transport your kitchen to the Caribbean.