A question that I get asked a lot is "How do I get the REAL jamaican experience?" This requires a multi-faceted answer, but I almost always start with food. To eat like a jamaican is to shop like a jamaican and to prepare the food like a jamaican so it combines a lot of experiences in one. Even if you only eat the food, you should at some point take a trip to the local market and see how the locals buy their food. Now, as for what you should eat, I am probably not the best person to ask being that I eat just about everything here, but I will try to focus… for you, my loves.
Most people are familiar with the more famous cuisine of Jamaica like jerk, curry, rice and peas and Red Stripe beer, so I will touch on a few not so popular items that I feel fall under MUST HAVE. This is by no means a comprehensive list, so I will make a series out of this topic, giving you plenty of yummy options.
#1 ACKEE
This national fruit of Jamaica is often mistaken for a vegetable or scrambled eggs. Poisonous until ripe (the pod opens up), you must take care to only eat ackee from reputable sources. Like callaloo it can be eaten with or without salt fish and is usually served with some type of provision or "food" like green banana, fried plantain, fried or boiled dumplings. Mmm, Mmm, Good!
#2 BREADFRUIT
Roasted, fried, boiled, in a juice…however you can find it, you should taste it. When very ripe, their consistency is somewhere between bread and a potato (if you can picture that) and they also taste similar to a sweet potato, but not as sweet. If not too ripe, then they just taste like a potato.
#3 CALLALOO
Similar in taste and consistency to mature spinach, this green is often served seasoned with scallion, hot pepper, thyme, tomato and with or without salt fish. It is a great accompaniment to the breadfruit and can be eaten as a main entree along with provisions or as a side dish.
#4 TROPICAL FRUITS
Even though you may have these at home, they will not taste the same as fruits grown here in the tropics. These lovely gems benefit from the perfect mix of golden sunshine and nurturing rains. There really is no comparison, so if you get a chance to get some take it! You really won't believe the difference.
Most people are familiar with the more famous cuisine of Jamaica like jerk, curry, rice and peas and Red Stripe beer, so I will touch on a few not so popular items that I feel fall under MUST HAVE. This is by no means a comprehensive list, so I will make a series out of this topic, giving you plenty of yummy options.
#1 ACKEE
This national fruit of Jamaica is often mistaken for a vegetable or scrambled eggs. Poisonous until ripe (the pod opens up), you must take care to only eat ackee from reputable sources. Like callaloo it can be eaten with or without salt fish and is usually served with some type of provision or "food" like green banana, fried plantain, fried or boiled dumplings. Mmm, Mmm, Good!
1 ripe (opened) ackee & 4 unripe ones
#2 BREADFRUIT
Roasted, fried, boiled, in a juice…however you can find it, you should taste it. When very ripe, their consistency is somewhere between bread and a potato (if you can picture that) and they also taste similar to a sweet potato, but not as sweet. If not too ripe, then they just taste like a potato.
raw bread fruit
roasted breadfruit
#3 CALLALOO
Similar in taste and consistency to mature spinach, this green is often served seasoned with scallion, hot pepper, thyme, tomato and with or without salt fish. It is a great accompaniment to the breadfruit and can be eaten as a main entree along with provisions or as a side dish.
callaloo and roasted/fried breadfruit
#4 TROPICAL FRUITS
Even though you may have these at home, they will not taste the same as fruits grown here in the tropics. These lovely gems benefit from the perfect mix of golden sunshine and nurturing rains. There really is no comparison, so if you get a chance to get some take it! You really won't believe the difference.
(SIGH) Mangoes
One of several types available when in season
If you are interested in trying the local cuisine, but don't know where to start, ask us to help you out. We are more than willing to assist you in finding the best authentic cuisine at authentic (local) prices.
BON APETIT!
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