My Favourite Jamaican Foods
March 14, 2019Jamaica is known for its people with their effervescent,
lively and winning personalities. Other things that we are known for are our
culture, food, music, spices and our “herb”.
This Makeup Artist based in Jamaica will be sharing not only
posts about beauty but also gems about this beautiful “Island paradise”. I hope to enhance your Jamaican experience by sharing some
of my favourite things and places in Jamaica through various blog posts. Starting with something dear to my heart
our “Reggae Jamming Food”.
Jamaican Oxtail
My favourite dish! Do not take it for granted, the meat is succulent and fall of the bone tender. This dish is adored by most Jamaicans. It is a braised oxtail with butter beans bursting with flavour from a medley of local seasonings such as garlic, thyme, scotch bonnet and onion. It is Down to De Bone nice!
Jamaican Steamed Fish
A healthy, tasty, satisfying dish. To get the best experience, have this dish at
a restaurant on the coast of Jamaica where you will be directed to select the
fish you would like prepared. I believe this dish tastes best when prepared
with a Snapper Fish.
The fish is cooked in a buttery sauce laden with fresh
vegetables and spices such as carrots and okra. Have it with crackers specially
prepared to be eaten along with it or bammy (made from cassavas) fried or steamed.
You will certainly be licking your fingers after his meal. Jamaican men consider it an
aphrodisiac.
Escovitch Fish
This dish brings me back my childhood when my mom would prepare it on Saturday and my sisters and I would have it for breakfast the Sunday morning. It tasted even better a day old as it is properly preserved with a vinegar pickle (no refrigeration needed). It is traditionally prepared as a whole fish fried until
crispy then covered in lightly pickled vegetables. The vegetable pickle consists of onion, chayote and carrots which are lightly cooked in a vinegar sauce
that is seasoned with Jamaican pimentos and scotch bonnet
pepper.
Ackee and Saltfish
Our National Dish (Ackee & Saltfish (Codfish)) is traditionally prepared in most Jamaican household for breakfast particularly on Saturday and/or Sunday morning and special occassions. This dish is sautéed with onions, thyme, Scotch Bonnet peppers (optional), tomatoes, red bell pepper (optional), garlic, black pepper and pimiento. It is usually served with a combination of any of these items: boiled yellow yam, fried or roasted breadfruit, boiled or fried dumplins, boiled green banana and fried plantain.
I beseech you, Do Not Leave Jamaica without trying some of these items from an authentic Jamaican restaurant. You will not be the same after.