Island Offerings Recipes and Histories of Jamaican Delights By Phalana Tiller and Lynn Loo The sassiest and largest of the Caribbean's English speaking islands, Jamaica, seduces her visitors with innumerable rewards of unusual and exciting foods, glorious sights of land and sea, and a people whose smiles beam with a warmth originating in lands throughout the world. Come to Jamaica. Again and again," beckoned one mid-Eighties campaign by the Jamaican Tourism Board. These memorable ads, with lilting voices and creamy textures, seemed almost able to reach right through the television and accepting this warm invitation, visitors still find their hunger for Jamaica nowhere near satiated. Most visitors to Jamaica vow to return, again and again. Jamaica's rich history spans centuries. The people of today's Jamaica are an intricate melange of people whose roots reach the far ends of the globe. The island's earliest inhabitants, the Arawaks, originated in northern Sout America. later dominated by the Spaniards, and eventually the British, most of the Arawaks suffered the deadly effects of disease and war. Eventually, slavery would introduce an African population to Jamaica, which would then be followed by waves of immigrants including East Indian, Chinese, Jewish, Dutch, Portuguese, French and Syrian people. Photographed here are Jamaican Rums and ingredients often found in Jamaican cuisine such as plaintains, saltfish, Scotch bonnet peppers, coconut, ackees (in the white bowl) and ginger, amongst others. Photo by Y. Jing. ______________________ "Out of many, one people," boast many billboards and bumper-stickers on the island. ______________________ The languages, storis, songs, and traditions of Jamaica's people result in a diverse society, whose national motto exudes pride in their roots and a desire for continued harmonious relations. "Out of many, one people," boast many billboards and bumper-stickers on the island. Jamaica's mulicultural roots also provide an impressive array of influences on the nation's cuisine. The food of Jamaica represents the coming together of its people, as well as the coming together of land and sea. The nation's lush mountainous core has provided fertile ground for crops since the time of the Arawaks. The provisions of the land are equally matched by the abundant treasures from the sea and Jamaica's numerous rivers. Eating "Jamaican" comes with some basic themes; seasonings and spices including ginger, pimento, thyme, garlic, onions, tomatoes, and scallions accent nearly every dish in the culinary repertoire. The Jamaican diet is based on a wide range of poultry, seafood, and meats, such as goat, pork, and beef. Fruits and vegetables like apples, coconut, mangoes, pineapples, citrus fruits, bananas, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, ackees, hot and sweet peppers, and Jamaican pimento, also have a prominent place at the table. ______________________ The Scotch bonnet (also known as the Habanero pepper) is the stamp of Jamaican cooking. ______________________ Jamaican cooking is peppered (literally!) with the legendary Scotch bonnet pepper. The Scotch bonnet (also known as the Habanero pepper) is the stamp of Jamaican cooking. Often found floating whole in simmering soups and stews, or minced into jerk marinades or rice and peas, the Scotch bonnet lends a distinctive dimension of heat and complicated sweetness which few other peppers offer. Jamaica's cuisine is not only the basis for a palette pleasing and extraordinary culinary journey, it can also be used to trace the island's multi-faceted and precious cultural history. Featured in our food section, are original, collected recipes from a truly home-grown Jamaican chef, Marion Samuel, who has generously offered some of her favorite recipes to Jamaican staples. Marion is the owner of "The Caribbean Gourmet," a home-based bakery specializing in breads, cakes, and pastries from all across the Caribbean region. Along with Marion's recipes, we have researched the "roots and cultcha" – the history, behind some of the dishes and methods of preparing them. Marion reminds us that, "Ours is a dynamic cuisine! Relax, gather your ingredients, and try the recipes with a sense 'a adventure! Happy cooking and watch the PEPPER!" Click here for Marion's Jamaican recipes This website: Copyright © 2001 Studio Q Int'l Inc / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in Urban Mozaik Magazine are not necessarily those of Urban Mozaik Magazine and the publisher cannot be held responsible for them. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.