TPDConnect TPDConnect June2018 | Page 10

FUN JAMAICAN FOOD FACTS By Renee Johnson There are foods that we eat that we deem absolutely delicious, but for others its plain “weird” Check out some foods we love that people from other cultures (and even our own)would cast aside. 1. Curry Gravy on Fried Chicken: This combination is a bit odd to foreigners and even locals. Curry is usually used as a sauce or in a stew; for example curry chicken. However in Jamaica it’s not unusual to enter a fast food restaurant and hear someone ask for “fry chicken wid curry gravy” 2. Bun at Easter: Not at all weird, but there are people who must have easter bun and cheese during easter or their world comes tumbling. The odd part is actually the sandwiches made using buns, such as bun and fried fish or bun and pear (Avocado) 3. Meat Patties: We know this as just patty, but I’ve come across a few people who find ground beef or chicken between a crusty pastry unappealing; wait until they hear about my friend who would put cheese in her curry chicken patty. 4. Ackee: Even the people from the African nation that unintentionally introduced ackee to us stay far away from this food, but we love it so much it is part of our national dish. Ackee is controversial because of its capability to poison if not allowed to ripen naturally. 5. Chicken Foot: I once watched a video of some online influencers tasting chicken feet in Asia, some felt sick at its sight, while others couldn’t get it past their throat. For Jamaicans it’s a staple in soups at set ups, dances and at street shops. Chicken feet are actually good for you. Among the benefits listed in Health Journals 1. Glowing complexion, improved im- mune system, rich in collagen for the skin and prevents premature aging that makes skin looks wrinkled , strenght in your joints and prevents fragile bones, accelerates wound healing. 6. Ox-tail: Ask a Jamaican their favourite food and they holler “Oxtail!” throw in a few broad beans and they fall in love. This delicacy is actually deemed Jamaican Chicken Foot Soup Scrumptious Jamaican Beef Patty