Jamaica
Our Posts about Jamaica
The music world suffered a pair of great losses last weekend as the legendary Etta James was joined in leaving this world by Jamaica‘s own Winston Riley.
Now I’m sure most of you know the name Etta James. Even if you didn’t know of her previously, the extensive recent news reports of her passing surely have you up to speed now.
Winston Riley? Yeah, his name is a bit more obscure to most. His music, on the other hand, is definitely not.
There are many great flavors of the Holiday Season in Jamaica, but arguably none is more cherished than Gungo Peas. The hearty green (when raw) legumes ripen just in time for the Christmas period, providing a sure sign of the gift-giving, fetes and fun soon to come. Typically prepared with rice, or in a soup with ham, Gungo Peas are a staple of Christmas meals here.
But, this is not true in Jamaica alone.
Popular perception holds that the best jerk in Montego Bay can only be found at Scotchie’s. A recent poll by Island Stylee proves it, as does this. I even wrote as much last year.
On my most recent trip to Jamaica, though, I discovered a very worthy contender…
Throughout the lyrical annals of reggae music, few places are as revered and celebrated as Mt. Zion. In the music, and in Rastafari culture in general, Mt. Zion is a mystical, holy place representative of the ultimate paradise – the ying to Babylon’s yang. But, what about the real Mt. Zion? Did it really exist? If so, how does it live up to the lyrics?
On my last trip to Jamaica a couple weeks ago, I set out to answer these questions. What I discovered still warms my soul today…
The real Mt. Zion is located in the hills above Montego Bay, just a few minutes drive from my beachfront home away from home in Jamaica.
Jerk may be the most famous home-grown flavor of Jamaica (and with good reason, if you ask me), but it’s certainly not the only one. Next time you’re down there, do yourself a favor and discover the many varied wonders of the one condiment that supermodel Naomi Campbell never leaves home without: Pickapeppa Sauce.
Known as Jamaican Ketchup, and sometimes called Jamaican A-1 (it tastes more like Worcestershire Sauce or A-1 than ketchup), Pickapeppa Sauce is a unique combination of tomatoes, onions, sugar, cane vinegar, mangoes, raisins, tamarind, garlic, salt, peppers, thyme and cloves. There are some “secret ingredients” as well, of course, and the true formula is apparently known only to a few members of the family that now runs the company, though copycat recipes can be found.
Contrary to popular belief, everyone born and raised in the Caribbean does not grow up with a healthy taste and appreciation for rum. It’s virtually impossible not to know about rum and the key role it has played in our region’s history, of course, but just ’cause you’re from here doesn’t mean you love it unequivocally.
Take me, for instance. It’s no secret that I love rum now, but that hasn’t always been the case.
Shocking, I know, but in my home island of St. Croix, rum and coke is king. This mixture is nice, but it does little to give you a true appreciation for all the subtle pleasures inherent in the finest blends.
If you’re a fan of ours on Facebook, then you already know that I’m very late with today’s Saturday Video post due to a few too many Blood Orange Daiquiris. (Yeah, we really do mix and drink the cocktails we feature in our Friday Happy Hour series.) To keep the good times flowing, and with an eye toward my next trip to Jamaica in five days, we’re sharing a video recipe for something called an Old Jamaican. By the looks of it, we’ll want to try this one pretty soon. Til then…
Cheers + good night!
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