National cuisine of Jamaica for gourmets. Authentic recipes, delicacies and specialties

The national cuisine of Jamaica is a unique combination of culinary traditions of such countries as Spain, the United Kingdom and several Asian countries like China and India. The cuisine of African slaves had a special impact on Jamaican cuisine. All kinds of fruits, vegetables, root vegetables that are unknown to many people outside the island, chicken, pork, goat meat, and seafood are the main ingredients in numerous Jamaican dishes. Spices have a special role in Jamaican cuisine. Almost no dish in the local cuisine is possible without spices. Ginger, garlic, cardamom, nutmeg, and thyme are very popular here. However, none of them can compete with Jamaican pepper. To make local food have a special and inimitable taste and flavor, local chefs use fragrant Pimento tree berries. These berries have a smell that is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

In Jamaica, there are many fruits and vegetables that have not become popular and widely used in the rest of the world. First of all, this concerns Ackee fruit. It is an essential ingredient in many dishes on the island. Ackee tastes a lot similar to boiled eggs. Many Jamaicans start their day by eating this fruit. In Jamaica, tourists can try dishes with Callaloo leaves and sprouts. The taste of this plant is similar to spinach. Callaloo is a usual ingredient of various soups and vegetable ragouts. However, it is not allowed to eat raw Callaloo leaves because they are rough and can damage the throat. On Jamaican markets, vacationers can see genipe or Spanish lime. This is a big fruit that is somewhat reminiscent of grapes. Genipe has leathery skin that is not eaten. Don’t forget to try Jamaican apples. They look a bit like radish and taste like pear. Jamaican shops and street vendors also often offer Ugli fruit. It is a combination of orange, grapefruit, and tangerine.

Jarky is one of the most popular Jamaican dishes. This is chicken or any other meat marinated in a special sauce that is then cooked on burnt pimento tree wood. This wood adds a special flavor to the meat. Ackee with saltfish is a dish that has a central role on any table in Jamaica. This dish contains boiled cod, vegetables, sweet dumplings, and cooking bananas. Curry with goat meat is one more dish that has a central role in Jamaican cuisine. This dish appeared on the island from distant India and has quickly become very popular. Goat meat is marinated in lemon juice and spices and then roasted in olive oil. It is deliberately not made very spicy. The ready meat is served with rice. Seafood dishes are also very popular in Jamaica. Locals like jerky shrimps, smoked fish, mackerel with yam, and pies with fish stuffing. Both tourists and islanders are in love with Jamaican dessert called Gizzada. This is a crispy and sweet pastry shell filled with butter, nougat, ginger, and coconut. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Without a doubt, rum is the most popular Jamaican drink. Thanks to sugar cane, rum has a distinctive taste and fragrance. Growing under the generous Jamaican sun, local sugar cane gives all its warmth and rich flavor to this drink. There are several types of local Jamaican rum. It can be light, dark, golden, and flavored. Famous Jamaican ginger beer is also very popular on the island. When it comes to non-alcoholic beverages, skyjuice is very popular here. It contains minced ice, juice, and syrup. The drink is served in a coconut. The islanders also like their own Blue Mountain coffee. It has a mild taste and strong flavor. They often add ginger, rum or coffee liqueur to the drink. Finally, refreshing lemongrass tea is a great solution to quench thirst on a hot Jamaican day.

Traditional dishes of Jamaican and other cuisines of the world are available in different restaurants and cafes of the island. Here, tourists will find dishes with seafood, vegetables, meat, cassava, bananas, and many other fruits. Street vendors that cook and sell popular local dishes are very widespread on the island. They offer jerky made from different meat types, pork ribs, and various dishes with chicken. Perhaps, Patties is the most popular fast food on the island. This is fried dumpling consisting of thin dough and all kinds of fillings, such as meat and seafood, which are generously sprinkled with local spices.

It would be a mistake not to mention Ital cuisine. This is a special cuisine that was developed by the Rastafarian movement. When cooking food, Rastafarians observe strict rules. They never eat meat and cook food without salt and oil. One may think that Ital food is plain and boring, but that is a mistake. Local cooks use different combinations of spices and herbs that are very delicious. That being said, tourists will hardly find Ital cuisine in ordinary restaurants and cafes. Only special venues for Rastafarians offer it. Tourists can find these dining establishments if they ask local guides.