As it says in our name, we at Caribbean Hut specialize in food from the Caribbean islands. This area is rich with culinary traditions, but one of the most well-known strains of Caribbean cuisine comes from the island of Jamaica. In fact, one of our most popular dishes is our Jamaican patties. If you’ve never heard of this dish, continue reading this article to find out what Jamaican patties are and why you should give them a try.
What are Jamaican Patties?
Jamaican patties are a type of savory hand pie, similar to an empanada, filled with seasoned ground beef, or less commonly, other meats. The word patty here is related to the British word pasty, which refers to a traditional meat pie. Jamaican patties are popular in many places, including other Caribbean islands as well as the UK, as Jamaican immigrants brought this tasty dish with them as they moved to the British isles.
What’s in Jamaican Patties?
While the fillings of Jamaican patties can vary, the most traditional variety is made with ground beef. The meat is first seasoned with a mixture of black pepper, allspice, and salt. While those flavors come together, the cook sautés a chopped onion in vegetable oil until translucent, adding minced garlic, minced chile peppers, and fresh thyme as well. The meat is then added to the pan with these aromatics and cooked until no longer pink. Next comes a dollop of ketchup to balance the flavors, and a few cups of water are added to allow the meat to simmer. Once the liquid has reduced and thickened into a sauce, green onions are added, and the whole mixture is allowed to cool before assembling and baking the patties.