The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Jamaican Foods. If you manage to be in an Jamaican restaurant or you are visiting Jamaica, I recommend the following:
1. Brown Stew Fish
A fish dish that is a Jamaican delicacy in which marinated and fried fish fillets are mixed with a golden sauce consisting of onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, butter and water. The stew is also often flavoured with thyme and various peppers. It is traditionally served with rice and peas or sweet potatoes and plantains.
2. Ackee and Saltfish Pizza
Prepared with cod and ackee, ackee and saltfish is one of Jamaica’s most popular dishes. Although it is usually served at breakfast, it is also commonly found at lunch. Its preparation is complex and has to be started the night before, but we assure you that it is well worth it. It is also one of the dishes that you can try with different seasonings in the different areas that make up Jamaica.
3. Curried Lobster
Lobster curry is a delicious Jamaican dish consisting of chunks of lobster, tomatoes, garlic, onion, water and spices such as curry, chilli, thyme and cumin. It is important to note that Caribbean tropical lobsters are very different from regular North American lobsters because they are pointed and clawless, and also have a slightly different taste.
4. Gizzada
This dessert rivals any European dessert. You can find it in basically any bakery, patisserie or restaurant in the region. It is a shell or tart filled with butter, sweetened coconut, ginger and nutmeg. Crunchy and sticky at the same time, this is one of the must-try dishes on your trip to Jamaica.
5. Steamed Cabbage
If you are looking for a delicious side dish, Jamaican steamed cabbage is always a crowd pleaser! One great thing about cabbage is that it’s an inexpensive side that can be found in most countries. This colourful variation features sweet carrots, thyme and spicy scotch pepper, adding just the right amount of heat without being too overpowering. While the pepper adds fragrance and heat to this Jamaican cabbage, it’s completely optional if you’re not good with spice.
6. Janga Soup
This is a Jamaican soup consisting of yang (the Jamaican word for freshwater crayfish) and vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, onions and sweet potatoes. It is usually flavoured with garlic, thyme, allspice and pepper. Ready-made yang soup is served in bowls and garnished with parsley. Interestingly, the soup was believed to be an aphrodisiac, enabling men to maintain strength for a long time.
7. Grater Cake
A dessert made from grated coconut and sugar (sometimes with ginger). The coconut and sugar are boiled and spread on a baking sheet. Once hardened, it is cut into triangles or squares.
8. Gungo Peas Soup
Jamaican gungo pea soup is a great recipe to feed many mouths, as it is relatively inexpensive! This is the ideal recipe for vegetarian guests, as it is a hearty stew that is packed with beans, vegetables, potatoes and lots of spice. However, if you are someone who struggles with spicy foods, you can alter the ingredients to suit your taste.
9. Oxtail with Broad Beans
Jamaican oxtail is a hearty recipe for the whole family, slow-cooked to perfection with a delicious blend of herbs. This variation on Jamaican oxtail lends itself to a variety of textures, with tender braised oxtail, sautéed vegetables and butter beans. It gets its flavour from Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar and smoked paprika, among other ingredients. This delicious dish can be served not only as a stew, but also with sides such as rice and peas.
10. Sweet Potato Pudding
Jamaican sweet potato pudding is a hearty and traditional dessert that uses simple ingredients but is absolutely delicious! This Jamaican dessert is packed with flavours of sweet potato, coconut milk, vanilla and almond essence, and spices like ginger and nutmeg. This dish needs a double bake to create the creamy pudding top.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Caribbean Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.