Before Spanish colonization, Jamaican cuisine revolved around maize, potatoes, peanuts and papaya. These ingredients still play a seminal role in the nations diet, however, Spanish, Creole, Caribbean and African flavors are now also found. Jamaicas most famous food export is unarguably jerk chicken: a barbecued poultry dish flavored with allspice, thyme and extremely hot scotch bonnet chillies. This fiery fascination can also be found in spiced rum and grapefruit drink, as well as pepper rum, a spicy sauce added to stews, barbecues and even tacos.
If you can’t visit the islands this summer, let the islands come to you! Preparing some Authentic Jamaican Recipes will spice up your dinner menu and give your meals a tropical twist. Try some traditional Jamaican jerk chicken or whip up a few banana fritters as a quick treat!