It may be an island, but Jamaica is a place where the phrase “melting pot” was probably invented, both for its people and its food. This Caribbean island nation has welcomed wave after wave of settlers and immigrants, from the Spanish, British, Africans, Indians, and Chinese, all of whom have brought their own foods and cultures to the island. Today, Jamaican cuisine includes many dishes from these immigrant cultures, as well as a colorful fusion of local and introduced flavors and techniques.
When you travel to Jamaica you will experience this culinary fusion head-on. Skip the family fast food restaurants and discover the vibrancy and color of the Jamaican way of life at the markets and street stalls. Here you will find foods that epitomize the melting pot of Jamaican cuisine.
One of the first foods to try would have to be Jerk Chicken or Jerk Pork, the national dish of Jamaica. Jerk is a style of cooking originating in Jamaica, in which the meat is dry rubbed with spices, in this case hot Scotch Bonnet Peppers, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, chives, nutmeg, thyme and garlic, before being grilled on a firewood. fire. The delicious meat is infused with a spicy sweet flavor with a powerful kick. Look out for Rice and Peas and Festivals (fried dumplings) for traditional sides.
Saltfish and Ackee is the traditional Jamaican breakfast dish. It’s a far cry from cereal, and can take a bit of getting used to, but it’s fantastically filling. The salt fish is flaked and cooked with sweet pepper, chili, onion and tomato and ackee, the national fruit of Jamaica. The mild but slightly sweet flavor of ackee is a great complement to salt fish.
Another dish that you must try when you visit Jamaica is Goat Curry. As the name suggests, this is a dish that was influenced by Indian immigrants, although the curry powder has a distinctly Jamaican flavor. Slow-cooked for hours, the meat is incredibly tender and, while spicy, it’s not overly fiery. It goes perfectly with Rice and Peas, the traditional coconut rice and beans.
In the street markets you will surely come across street vendors selling meat empanadas, they are not to be missed. Filled with spiced meat, these empanadas are a bit like an English empanada or a Spanish empanada, but the flavor is pure Jamaican, thanks to the spiciness of the Scotch Bonnet pepper. Although you can buy these prepared dishes, look for the street stalls: the best empanadas are the ones made fresh by hand. Jamaican patties go wonderfully well with the local beer, Red Stripe.
And finally, while in Jamaica, be sure to sample some of the endless varieties of fruit on offer. From jackfruit to breadfruit, from blackberry to blackberry to otaheiti apple, the market will offer an incredible variety of fresh fruit. The endless color, flavor and texture will amaze you and you will go home in awe. Like the native Scotch Bonnet pepper, the colorful island of Jamaica packs a punch.
