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What Do Jamaicans Eat And Drink For Christmas?

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gayle_heritage_family_dinner_december_25_2018_wellesley_nateisha_dwight_tanya_gayleWhat do Jamaicans eat and drink for Christmas?

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Do you plan your Christmas dinner for weeks or months ahead of time? I, like most Jamaicans, definitely do. A Jamaican dinner doesn’t have many difficult dishes, but there are many moving pieces to execute a perfect, delicious meal. And preparations It is a tiring but rewarding endeavour.

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While dinner is the star of the day, and lunch is completely skipped, breakfast is something we also have to prepare for. You won’t see most Jamaicans serving up a continental-style breakfast on Christmas morning. 

What you can expect, is a plate stacked with Ackee and Saltfish, the real MVP of Jamaican breakfast since it’s also our national dish. Run-dung, especially with salt-mackerel, is another popular choice for Christmas morning in Jamaica. Who would have thought that salt mackerel, coconut milk and some herbs and spices could make such a delectable meal? 

And of course, we can’t skip the cocoa tea! It is a must. No, it's not your regular cocoa—it's a rich, velvety drink that's practically a hug in a mug. It’s made with locally made cocoa sticks, that are made from actual cocoa beans. Mixed in with some coconut milk and cinnamon leaves, you will not be satisfied with just one mug. But be careful because cocoa tea holds on to heat like nothing else and will scorch your upper lip. 

Those are just the mains, some will stick to the more regular brown stew chicken, or even turkey neck, callaloo and saltfish or steamed cabbage. But the sides are always pretty much the same. What we like to call hard food! I’m talking about boiled yam, banana, dumplings, dasheen and much more. 

As I said before lunch is usually completely skipped, as everyone would more than likely be in the kitchen assisting with the cooking. Even the kids might be on duty, grating coconuts to be used in the rice or shredding vegetables to make the salad. However, for those who can’t hold out for dinner, which is usually served early, at around 3 or 4 pm in most households, a slice of potato pudding or fruit cake would do the trick for holding them over until dinner. 

Now, let's fast-forward to the main event—Christmas dinner. We're discussing a spread that'll make your taste buds dance happily. First in line, is the Christmas ham. Glazed to perfection, it's a sweet and savoury masterpiece bound to steal the show.

Next up, Oxtail. Tender, juicy, and simmered to perfection in a flavorful sauce—this dish is comfort food at its finest. And let's not forget the Roast Pork, a crispy delight that'll have you coming back for seconds.

Curry Goat is another star on the Christmas table, bringing that spicy kick that our Jamaican cuisine is known for. Pair it with Gungo Rice and Peas—each grain soaked in coconut goodness—and you've got a match made in heaven.

And we can't skip the Baked Mac and Cheese. Creamy, cheesy, and baked to a golden perfection—it's comfort food with a Caribbean twist. Add some Baked Chicken and Pork to the mix, and you've got a feast that'll leave everyone in a food coma of pure joy.

While all won’t be on everyone’s table for Christmas dinner, I guarantee you without a doubt that at least one will be at every dinner table. If you had to choose what would it be? For me, the Ham is a must!

Of course, we need some festive sips to wash it all down. Sorrel Juice is the official Jamaican Christmas beverage. Tangy, sweet, and with a hint of spice. For a little untraditional twist, add a dash of cinnamon and your taste buds will be singing!

And let's not forget Jamaican Egg Nog. Yes, we don’t talk about this enough. Things and times have changed and eggnog is no longer as common on Christmas day as before, but many families still to this day enjoy making their own egg nog from scratch on Christmas day. It is smooth, creamy and super delicious. And of course, we have the rum punch. It is stable at dinner tables and special events throughout the year and Christmas is no different. 

Now, for the grand finale—desserts! I don’t know if we should be considering it as dessert since we are not sitting around waiting until after dinner to dive in. Let’s just call them our sweet treats. Potato Pudding is a favourite dense and moist treat that'll satisfy any sweet tooth. And then there's Black Fruit Cake, soaked in rum and loaded with dried fruits and spices. It's the perfect ending to a Jamaican Christmas feast. Speaking of sweet treats, grab yourself a copy of our ebook, Jamaican Sweet Treats, you won’t regret it. It’s packed with easy, delicious recipes for our all-time favourite Jamaican treats. 

So there you have it, the real deal of a Jamaican Christmas spread. From Ackee and Saltfish to Christmas ham, and from Sorrel Juice to Potato Pudding, every bite and sip is a celebration of the island's rich flavors and festive spirit. Cheers to a Merry Jamaican Christmas filled with good food, good company, and great vibes!

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References & Sources For What Do Jamaicans Eat And Drink For Christmas?

  1. How Do Jamaicans Celebrate Christmas? | 10 Special Events In The Holiday Season. (n.d.). My-Island-Jamaica.com. https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/how-do-jamaicans-celebrate-christmas-10-special-events-in-the-holiday-season.html
  2. Christmas In Jamaica | 12 Must-Haves At A Jamaican Christmas Dinner. (n.d.). My-Island-Jamaica.com. https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/christmas-in-jamaica-12-musthaves-at-a-jamaican-christmas-dinner.html

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