Hot, Hot Jamaican Patties!

Jamaicans have a love-affair with patties. It’s the meal option that goes perfectly with cocoa-bread.  So, what makes this Jamaican pastry such a sought after item? Perhaps it’s the fillings, the texture of the crust or its affordability.

Jamaican patties have come a long way. The beef patty is a product of colonialism, developed after the introduction of the English pastry (turnover) in the Caribbean, which was mixed with cumin and curry seasonings of Indian indentured servants in Jamaica and cayenne pepper from African slaves.

Nowadays, a patty can be filled with almost anything.  Common fillings are beef, chicken, and cheese. But you can also enjoy shrimp, lobster, fish, vegetables, and even soy. And if you’re entertaining, the bite-sized version (called cocktail patties) is a great option for your guests.

As they say “we name gone abroad”…you can enjoy Jamaican patties when you travel to Canada, the UK and some states in the US, where there is a strong West Indian population.  So much so, that in recent years, these delicious pastries have become a regular item in local delis and convenience stores.

Long live the Jamaican Patty! See Recipe here

Cheers!

Trudy