6 Jamaican Dishes You Haffi Try!

Ackee & Saltfish

The first time I was introduced to ackee and saltfish, my Jamaican suitemate brought a plate to our dorm that her mom cooked for a campus cultural event my senior year in college. I was hesitant to taste it since I didn’t like the way it looked (ackee looks a lot like choppy egg yolks when they’re scrambled, and paired with the saltfish, it can look a little weird if you’re not used to it), but I’m an open-minded person when it comes to food, so I gave it a go. And boy, am I glad that I did!

My initial reaction was that it tasted a lot like American squash. Ackee has a soft buttery texture and the saltfish tastes exactly how it sounds, like “salt fish.” If you go to a Jamaican spot looking for this meal at dinner time, chances are, you won’t find it. Ackee and saltfish is considered breakfast food and is commonly served with sides like dumpling and banana (referred to as “banana” but really a plantain). But watch that tongue of yours because, depending on the cook, this dish can be a tad bit on the spicy side.