| The island nation of Jamaica lies in the Greater Antilles | | | | dishes. In these dishes, meat is marinaded with a mix |
| in the Caribbean Sea. The country, which is the most | | | | of spices known as "Jamaican jerk spice", and then |
| populous English-speaking island in the Caribbean, was | | | | cooked on a charcoal grill. Jerk spice is actually a mix |
| a British colony for over 300 years (from 1655 to | | | | several spices, and is very fiery as result of the |
| 1962). Today, Jamaica is known for its contributions to | | | | allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers in the mix. |
| music (such as ska and reggae) and literature, for | | | | The national dish of Jamaica is saltfish and ackee. |
| being the place where the Rastafarian movement | | | | Saltfish is salted cod which is rehydrated and washed |
| was founded, and for its unique cuisine. | | | | before cooking. Ackee is actually a type of fruit. The |
| Many Jamaican dishes make extensive use of spices. | | | | cod is sautéed, the ackee boiled, and the two |
| In particular, Jamaican allspice (which is also known as | | | | mixed together. Onions, tomatoes and peppers are |
| "Jamaican pepper", "pimenta" or "pimento"), and | | | | also usually added to the dish. |
| annatto are used for flavoring many recipes. Annattoo | | | | There are also many Jamaican foods and dishes that |
| is quite an unusual spice, it comes from the pulp that | | | | you may enjoy eating too. For example, curried goat, |
| surrounds the seeds of achiote trees, and has a flavor | | | | fried plantains, and "rice and peas", which is rice |
| that tastes like pepper with some nutmeg added. | | | | cooked with coconut milk and mixed with legumes |
| The most famous of Jamaican dishes, are "jerk" | | | | such as red kidney beans. |