You MUST Try These Tantalizing Jamaican Foods!

Amongst the extensive menu of exquisite Caribbean cuisines for one to explore, Jamaica stands out as THE crème de la crème of this regional melting pot. From world famous jerk to the curious mannish water here are seven (7) irie Jamaican dishes for your adventurous taste buds.

Ackee and Saltfish

With ackee boasting as Jamaica’s national fruit AND being a major ingredient of the island’s national dish, how much more Jamaican could a dish possibly get? Ackee and saltfish is one the most prominent dishes embedded in Jamaica’s culture. It is a delectable meal which incorporates ingredients such as salt, black pepper, thyme, sliced garlic cloves and scotch bonnet to season the boiled ackee with a sweet and spicy taste, blended with the savoury salted codfish for a flavour your taste buds will find hard to resist.

Jerk Chicken

Indigenous to the island, the ultimate must-try Jamaican food is jerk. Most often made with chicken or pork, this spicy delicacy is a world-renowned Jamaican dish that for several years has won over the hearts of tourists seeking an authentic ‘Jamaican flavor’. The secret behind jerk’s exquisite taste is rooted in the mixture of its all spice jerk seasoning. This is combined with other seasonings such as scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, garlic, salt, black pepper, and in some cases nutmeg and ginger. These ingredients are then blended together and rubbed generously onto the pork or chicken and left to marinate. Depending on one’s preference, the marinated meat can either be grilled or oven baked, both producing the same jammin’ Jamaican taste.

Bammy

Bammy is a rounded flatbread passed down from pre-Columbus Jamaica and can be found in various forms on other Caribbean islands. Cassava is the base ingredient of bammy and it’s one of the simplest Jamaican dishes to prepare. It comprises of grated cassava, coconut milk and salt. The grated cassava and salt mixture is divided into disc-shaped portions, which are then soaked in coconut milk and baked until dry. Just before eating, the bammy cakes are either fried or baked, and is traditionally eaten with fried or steamed fish. It also serves as a great option in a vegan diet!

Patty

Defined as a pastry yet eaten as a quick snack or as an entrée, Jamaican patties are one of the most popular delights eaten on the island. This local favourite is a crescent-shaped flaky crust comprising of meat and other seasonings on the inside. The patty is popular not just for affordability but for the variety of fillings it can contain. These include beef (the original and most reputable patty), beef with cheese, chicken (curried or jerk), shrimp and fish, as well as vegetarian options like soy and ackee patty.

Rice and Peas

Served with any and every meat, ‘rice and peas’ is one of the most popular meal ingredients in Jamaica. This traditional cuisine is made of kidney beans, as well as coconut milk giving it a creamy taste. Unlike white rice, this dish consists of an abundance of ingredients which greatly enhance the flavor. After boiling the peas with coconut milk to a tender state, thyme, bell peppers, salt and scallion are then added to the mixture and of course, the rice. Rice and peas is not only popular in many Jamaican homes but also appears on almost every local restaurant menu.

Mannish Water

Mannish water, also known as goat soup, is a traditional Jamaican soup. Mannish water is not necessarily a household favourite, as it is infamous for its ingredients such as the head, belly, skin and in some cases the feet of the goat. Despite any ambivalence you may have to try such a peculiar combination of organs, mannish water remains popular and can usually be found served at outdoor gatherings in Jamaica, especially at street parties or “nine night” events. Other ingredients such as green banana, scotch bonnet pepper, yam and/or potato, and occasionally white rum, may be added to this organ-based recipe to season the soup to a mild spicy flavor. If you are open to trying new foods, mannish water is definitely the GOAT option for you.

Saltfish Fritters

It is safe to say that an all-time favourite Jamaican breakfast would certainly be a serving of saltfish fritters. These delicious bites are one of the easiest and quickest dishes to make. Served as appetizers or as a main breakfast dish, saltfish fritters, as the name suggests, gets most of its salted flavor from dried salted fish – its main ingredient. It’s a flat-shaped fried pastry with a crispy outside and soft inside. Alongside flour and saltfish, these fritters contain common ingredients such as thyme, scallion, bell pepper, garlic and onions, with the occasional addition of tomatoes.