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Jamaican specialties draw on a mixture of Spanish, English, Chinese, and East Indian cuisine. Names of Jamaican dishes are charmingly unique, and often do not reveal their ingredients. Here's a guide to deciphering some of the treasures that await you.
Jerk - the most famous of Jamaican dishes. Jerk seasoning is a spice mix that's rubbed or brushed onto meat or fish, which is then grilled to a well done temperature. Think of it as Jamaican barbeque.
Ackee and saltfish - the national dish of Jamaica, this classic dish is made with dried codfish mixed with onions and tomatoes, along with the local ackee fruit, which looks like scrambled eggs.
Rice and peas - rice and red kidney beans, cooked with coconut milk. A staple on lunch and dinner menus.
Curries - a combination of ingredients like Scotch bonnet peppers, onions, garlic, pimento seeds, tamarind, thyme, and Jamaican seasonings. Usually found in chicken or goat dishes.
Stamp and go - small fried fish fritters
Bammy - a flat floury cassava pancake that tastes somewhat like cornbread. Often found at breakfast, this starchy yucca tuber is served with fried fish.
Johnny cakes - fried dumplings
Patty - known elsewhere as empanadas, these thin, tender crisp-crust pastries are filled with highly-spiced beef or vegetables. Sold in patty shops.
Ital food - It sounds like Italian, but this food is actually not. Popular with Rastafarians, it's completely vegetarian and is usually served as a stew.
Callaloo - a leafy vegetable similar to spinach, served shredded and steamed or lightly boiled
Pepperpot soup - a peppery callaloo soup
Dip and fall back - a salty stew served with bananas and dumplings
Mannish water - a soup made from the head of a goat
Soursop - a fruit that tastes like a combination of guava and pineapple
Pawpaw - the local name for papaya
Skyjuice - sold by street vendors, these shaved ice cones are flavored with sugary fruit syrup and lime
Coconut water - refreshing drink served straight from the fresh coconut with a straw
Bellywash - limeade
Ting - grapefruit soda
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