Jamaican Food Glossary
If you are looking for some traditional Jamaican food, some of these fill many of the dishes that are served in the restaurants and at special holiday events. The following are some examples of Jamaican food:
Lets start with the Ackee, which when combined with salt fish is Jamaica’s national dish, this can be found on other island as decorative tree, but the ones in Jamaica is bright red and when burst open reveals large yellow and black seeds. It is interesting to note however, is that it is poisonous if you eat it before it fully matures. Ackee is a popular Jamaican food that is served as a breakfast meal. Asham, Parch Corn or Brown George is made from parched fried corn that is pounded fine and blended with sugar.
Annatto is used to color the food similar to the curry powder; it is from the Latin tropics and the West Indies. It is grown on flowering tree and seeds are then grounded to produce a rich reddish yellow spice.
Bulla is a popular Jamaican food that is eaten with pear or cheese, this is a flat round cake that is made from flour, molasses and ‘soda’ (baking powder).
BBeans and Peas often used exchangeable for black beans, pigeon peas, red kidney beans and black-eyed peas. This is often combined with rice to make the Jamaica rice and peas and is also used in stews and soups.
Bammy or cassava bread is a staple food of the Tainos which was the cassava. The cassava tuber is peeled, grated, wrung in a piece of white cloth, then put to dry, after which it is pounded in a mortar to produce the white cassava flour which is then baked on a flat metal surface or in a Dutch pot on a wood fire. The liquid from the wrung cassava is used to make laundry starch. The Bammy can be eaten as is or it can be soaked in coconut milk, cow’s milk or water, then drained and fried in hot oil. It is a popular food that is served mostly with escovietch fish.
Dukunnu, Tie Leaf or Blue Draws is a type of pudding made from grated corn, green bananas, sweet potatoes or yellow yam with sugar and spices. The mixture is wrapped in banana leaves in individual’s parcels and then steamed or more recently baked. This is one of the foods brought by the Africans.
Dip and fall back also known as run dung is a dish made from salted fish, mackerel, shad or herring. This is cooked in a thick rich, spicy sauce made from coconut milk.
Festival is referred to as an old product with a new name. This is a cork shaped dumpling made from flour and cornmeal and fried. This is very popular and is usually served with the popular jerk and fried fish.
Fu Fu is a dish of pounded yams or potatoes originating in West Africa where it is still eaten.
Nutmeg is a spice that can be grated from the inner kernel; this is an excellent item which is added to cakes, drinks, porridge and puddings.
Stamp and go is more commonly known as fritters. These are usually hot and spicy, the methods, preparation and the ingredients will differ in different places across the island.
Sorrel was introduced by the British to the islands; this plant blooms in December and is a tradition drink that is made at Christmas time. The red pulp is dried and then put to steep in boiling water and makes a rich red drink and some people add wine and spice for flavor.
These are just a few of the many foods that are unique and can be found on this island, the Jamaican food is said to be the most delicious and diverse cuisine that you will find anywhere in the Caribbean.