Even though it feels like we’re living in the tropics thanks to the major heatwave going through most of the country, you can escape to Jamaica through the country’s delicious cuisine. The small Caribbean country is known for its mix of cooking techniques, flavours, and spices that make it so special and most importantly, tasty! If you’ve never been to Jamaica but have always wanted to experience the island vibe through food, then here are just a sample of all the Jamaican foods you need to try!
See also: Transport to Jamaica with Chef Devan’s Jerk Chicken Wings
Jerk Chicken
Surprise, surprise — yes jerk chicken is top of this list and it’s because no visit to JA is complete without it. Every pocket of the nation does it a bit differently but no matter where you sample a taste, it’ll be delicious and you’ve been warned, spicy! You can find jerk seasonings and flavourings on other meats like pork and even beef but also on seafood like shrimp, and different types of fish.
Festival
Similar to a hush puppy, festival is fried dough that’s served as a side. Even though it has a slightly sweet flavour, it’s served alongside savoury dishes like jerk chicken or fried fish. Classic festival should be crispy and golden brown on the outside yet soft and fluffy on the inside. It’s perfect for sopping up any sauce or meat juices left on the plate!
Coco Bread
Because you can really never have too much bread, you need to add coco bread to your list of Jamaican foods to try. Soft, sweet, and slightly coconuty in flavour, this delicious bread is often split in half to sandwich around a Jamaican patty. The sweetness goes beautifully with the spicy patty.
Patties
Even though you can get great patties here in Canada, if you’ve never had one from a street-side vendor in Jamaica, you just ain’t living! Whether you prefer classic beef, chicken, or veggie, the flavours just can’t be compared to anything else you’ve had. The blend of seasonings and scotch bonnet peppers will make you sweat but take a dip in the ocean to cool off and it’ll be a day well-spent!
Fish Escovitch
The term Escovitch means to cook a protein, in Jamaica it’s typical to use fish, and then marinate in an acidic pickling sauce that usually contains vinegar, pimento, onions, peppers and carrots. It’s incredibly flavourful and makes for a light and very tasty meal!
Curry Goat
Thanks to the Indian population that’s come to Jamaica, there’s a Jamaican version of curry and a super popular one is curry goat. It’s typically served alongside roti and made for major special occasions Fried plantain and festival are also classic sides as well.
Ackee and Saltfish
The national dish of Jamaica is ackee and saltfish and it’s made from the ackee fruit and salted cod. It was imported to Jamaica from Ghana back in 1725 and apparently, Jamaican Olympian Usain Bolt often eats it for breakfast. The dish is typically served with rice and peas, bammy (cassava bread), and roasted breadfruit.
Featured Image: Rock Staar
