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Ackee (and Cod)
- Jamaican Ackee, as is said elsewhere, is the national fruit of Jamaica, and Ackee and Saltfish is the national breakfast dish. Ackee is a red or yellow fruit that's poisonous before it's ripe. (Which has caused quite a bit of import restrictions on the stuff in the US.) It breaks open when its ready, the flesh a yellow color that when cooked looks a bit like scrambled egg. In Ackee and Saltfish/Cod, it's mixed together with the fish, the Ackee in small teeny bits throughout. I didn't really notice much of a taste to it, either good or bad (although its said that the taste is distinctive.) Nonetheless, it was a good experience, and a dish well enjoyed. (Though a tad expensive at $6.00.) Would I try again? Yes, it was nice Where I found it: Country Boyz Jerk Yard |
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Aloo Pie -
Trinidad Deep fried pastry bread (paratha) - stuffed with mashed potato and a touch of curry/chickpea. Not bad. Tasty, and definitely filling. If you like jamaican patties, this snack would be a natural extension for you. Would I try again? No - but only because I tend to keep deep fried stuff to a minimum... Where I found it: Savi's Quik Serv (now under a different name, same location) |
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Bammy/Bammie
(aka Cassava Bread) -
Jamaican and Guyanese I was really, really looking forward to these, and scoured high and low for them. They're not all that easy to find. A Bammie is grated cassava, soaked in milk and fried up on the griddle. They've got a generally hard(er) consistency, and a little tough/thick to chew. Slightly grainy feel on the tongue. They're not bad, but I'd been looking for them so long that I was expecting more. It's kind of like a cassava English Muffin. No big deal. Would I try again? Sadly, no. Where I found it: Rock A Tone Seafood |
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Boiled
Dumplings - Jamaican A traditional side dish for breakfast (and, I've read, for other meals as well.) Not much to say about them - they were one inch solid water/flour dumplings. No particular flavor, but they were both tasty and filling. Yum. Would I try again? Yes, they were carbo-rific, but pretty tasty. Where I found it: Golden Krust |
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Bun and Ja (Bun
and Cheese) - Jamaican Two slices of a fruitcake type bun, with a heavy, creamy processed cheese wedged in between. A favorite meal for Jamaican Easter. I rather liked it - it wasn't much different than what you'd expect from the description, but it was a filling, pleasant snack. Would I try again? Yes - it was quite pleasant. Where I found it: Golden Krust |
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Buss Up Shot
(or Shut) (a.k.a. Paratha) - Jamaican/Trinidadian It's slang for "busted up shirt", which is what this flat bread looks like, wrinkled up and served as a side order. Great for scooping up heaps of curry. Would I buy again? Yes -it's light and flaky (and served in huge amounts) - although it's got to have the main curry dish to make it yummy. Where I found it: Ali's Roti Shop |
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Callaloo -
Jamaican A leafy green steamed vegetable, quite similar to spinach. It's served in alot of different ways: mixed with saltfish for breakfast, in a patty (empanada), or in a gumbo type soup. Not bad, and I'm sure it's full of great vitamins and nutrients. Would I try again? Yes, although it's not much different than spinach. Where I found it: Golden Krust |
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Coco Bread -
Jamaican Sold separately, it sometimes gets wrapped around a patty to offer more 'meal' for your buck. Basically, it's a white bread hamburger bun, rectangle shaped. Big whoop. Not impressed. Would I try again? Nope. Where I found it: Tremes |
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Doubles - Trinidanian Would I buy it again? Yes! |
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Egg Ball -
Trinidad A nifty little snack made of deep fried cassava - with a hardboiled egg nestled deep in the center. Commonly served with a spicy dipping sauce. Only $1.25 a pop - and they're filling. Would I try again? No - but it's a deep fried thing for me. If you're into Trini, Jamaican, or Indian food - give one of these a try. At that price, it'd be a shame not to tastetest. Where I found it: Savi's Quik Serv (now under a different name, same location) |
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Festival -
Jamaican Basically, just a medium sized breadstick, with a touch of sugar. What can I say? No much to it. It was *okay*.... Would I try again? Nah. Where I found it: Golden Krust |
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Macaroni Pie -
General West Indian Just what it sounds like - a creamy macaroni and cheese pie, popular in various versions throughout the West Indies. While not radically different from American Mac and Cheese, it's got a decent rich, cheesy flavor - and definitely beats the pants of S'Mac in the East Village - both for taste and price. Would I try again? When in the mood for comfort food..? (Though I'd find myself looking for the soy version - and probably get kicked out of the joint...!) Where I found it: Savi's Quik Serv (now under a different name, same location) |
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Goat, etc.) - Jamaican Jamaican meat pies (like a Spanish empanada). Flaky pastry outside, hot seasoning spices inside with a minced meat. Good, although the 'fast food' version I had wasn't particularly filling. (I've since had shrimp patties, and they really hit the spot.) Would I try again? Yes, but at a real Jamaican restaurant. Where I found it: Golden Krust, the food chain. They're all over the city. |
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Phlourie/Polourie
- Jamaican/Trinidadian Deep fried balls of dough - usually 10 for a $1.00 - served with a tamarind dipping sauce. Kind of a savory version of Zeppole or donut holes...! Would I try again? Nah - they weren't that amazing in taste - and certainly not healthy fare...! Where I found it: A little joint on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. |
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Porridge
(Varieties: Corn, and Banana/Peanut) - Jamaican I wasn't expecting to like this - the corn version is polenta (cornmeal), with vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon, and is a breakfast regular in Jamaica. The banana is similar, with a hint of peanut mixed in. Both have a very smooth, very warm texture. This stuff is extremely good, especially the corn version! 3.4 stars! Way better than oatmeal, and a definite must try! Would I try again? Yes! This stuff was delish! Where I found it: Golden Krust |
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Roti - Jamaican/Trinidadian Meat options include chicken, goat, beef, fish
and shrimp...but when going the carnivorous route, watch out for
bones...which often aren't removed. Vegetable options are particularly good,
including curried versions of bodie (string bean), baghee (spinach),
okra, pumpkin, bygan (eggplant), Channa Dahl (yellow split pea) or Aloo
(potato.) Very delish, anyway you get it. 3.6 stars. Would I buy it again? I
definitely would. |
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Saheena - Trinidadian Would
I buy it again? Nah - too plain and heavy (just not my
thing.) |
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Saltfish -
Jamaican No, it's not a type of fish - it's a way of preparing it - ie: salted and dried and used in various recipes. Usually it's codfish to start with. It's also part of the national Jamaican breakfast of Saltfish and Ackee. Would I try again? Yes, although it's not much different from eating canned Jackfish or Tuna... Where I found it: Golden Krust |
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