Jamaican cuisine is an exciting fusion of indigenous, Asian, Spanish, British and Indian flavors and cooking methods. It uses simple ingredients found in the sea and on land. Once you have it, you'll be hooked. The best part? Jamaican food is relatively healthy, enabling less gym time and more lounging on gorgeous beaches (or eating). Here are 10 popular foods to order in Jamaica.
Making jerk chicken at the famous Scotchie's restaurant — Photo courtesy of Katie Dillon
Jerk chicken: Jerk seasoning, comprised mainly of allspice and scotch bonnet peppers, is dry or wet-rubbed on to the chicken and then cooked in a covered pit filled with pimento wood yielding. The result is moist, flavorful meat served with several side dishes mentioned below.
Bammy: Though it doesn't taste like bread, bammy is made from a root vegetable called casava that is ground up like flour and baked with coconut milk like a flatbread. Bammy (or Bami) is often served with jerk chicken.
Jamaican patties: Don't leave the island without trying a patty. Think flaky pastry most traditionally filled with beef--though vegetarian, chicken, shrimp and other fillings can be found. The filling is spiced with curry and scotch bonnet peppers. You can even grab one at the airport for the plane ride home.
Clockwise: boiled green banana, calloo, ackee and saltfish, festival, fried plantains — Photo courtesy of Katie Dillon
Callaloo: Callaloo is a green, leafy vegetable grown in Jamaica that is typically served cut up and sauteed with onions and (surprise) scotch bonnet peppers. The result is a tender, healthy side dish that's milder in flavor than you might expect.
Fried plantains: No, they are not bananas. Plantains have a firmer texture and are less sweet. They are typically cut in half, salted, fried and served as a side dish like a vegetable.
Festival: Eating these cornbread fritters is fun like a festival with the crispy exterior and moist interior. They are often served with jerk chicken.
Boiled green bananas: These bananas are starchier and less sweet than the yellow version. Cooking them involves dropping them into water, skin on. Next, the skin is sliced off and the banana is served.
The national dish of ackee and saltfish — Photo courtesy of Katie Dillon
Ackee and saltfish: The national dish of Jamaica involves ackee, which is a pear-shaped fruit related to the lychee. If not allowed to ripen properly, parts of the fruit are actually poisonous. Boiled ackee is sauteed with salted cod and served for breakfast. The taste and texture is similar to scrambled eggs.
Festival: Eating these cornbread fritters is fun like a festival with the crispy exterior and moist interior. They are often served with jerk chicken.
Curried goat: A dish native to India, a milder curried goat migrated to Jamaica and is one of the most popular dishes to serve at parties.
Escovitched fish: Enjoyed all day long, this delicious pan-fried fried fish (usually red snapper) is served with a sauce and pickled vegetables.
Red Stripe pairs well with jerk chicken — Photo courtesy of Katie Dillon
Wash it all down with Jamaican rum punch or a Red Stripe beer. Yeah, mon.
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