There is nothing more persistent across time and space than food. Where other aspects of culture can fade into history due to time and complications born from slavery and colonialism, food will always remain.
The West Africans who were forcibly migrated to the Caribbean held on to their culture through the way food was prepared and we benefit from the fruits of that determination through having an undeniable culinary link between Jamaica and Ghana.
Rice and Peas
Rice and Peas are a staple of Jamaican cuisine. It’s the signature side sigh. Peas (or beans) are soaked overnight and then boiled together with rice and seasonings to create a fragrant and delicious accompaniment that always threatens to steal the show. Ghanaian Waakye is virtually the same dish but instead of coconut milk, Ghanaians often use rehydrated millet stalks. Many recipes call for substituting millet for coconut milk or oil if the plant is not available in your area.
Fried Ripe Plantains
Countries all across the Caribbean and Africa celebrate the humble plantain plant. Whether green or ripened, fried plantains are a beloved side dish and street food. In Jamaica, slices of plantain are fried, caramelizing the natural sugars in the plant. This activated sweetness is often paired with a spicy or savory dish creating a balanced culinary experience. Ghanaian plantains, or Kelewele, admittedly supercharge the flavor. Plantains are seasoned with ginger, garlic, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and anise to craft a flavor experience that’s more than good enough to eat on its own.
Fufu and Bammy
Bammy is a beloved Jamaican side dish often eaten at breakfast. Whenever I visit my family in the States I always travel with a bag of frozen bammy. Grated cassava is shaped into a disk or a stick and then crisped up in a pan with coconut milk adding texture and moisture. Ghanaian fufu is the boiled equivalent. Boiled cassava is mashed until it can be shaped into a smooth dough. This supple dough is boiled and served with stews and sauces acting as a spoon and sponge for flavor.
