Jamaican rice and peas is a delicious staple recipe that goes great with rich Caribbean stews and curries, and it’s super simple to make!
I absolutely love Jamaican food! I was first introduced to this delectable cuisisne by my college roommate, Sade. I remember the first time she brought brown stew chicken, rice and peas, stewed cabbage and sweet plantains to our college dorm room after coming back from a family visit. One taste and I was hooked!
When I visited Jamaica on a cruise to visit the Dunns River Falls, I made sure to indulge in traditional recipes like this one. I also learned a lot of history about this recipe while traveling throughout Jamaica.
Rice and peas has a rich history rooted in the country’s African heritage and the influence of the Caribbean slave trade. During the transatlantic slave trade, African slaves were brought to Jamaica to work on sugar plantations. They brought with them their culinary traditions, including methods of preparing rice and peas. The availability of rice and peas in Jamaica was influenced by the trade routes between Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
Coconut cultivation also played a significant role in the development of Jamaican cuisine, as coconuts were brought to the Caribbean by European explorers and were cultivated on plantations. Coconut milk, a key ingredient in rice and peas, adds richness and depth to the dish.
Over time, rice and peas became a beloved and integral part of Jamaican cuisine, served on various occasions, including holidays, family gatherings, and celebrations. The dish reflects the cultural diversity of Jamaica, incorporating African, Caribbean, and European culinary elements.
Today, rice and peas is a symbol of Jamaican identity and is enjoyed not only in Jamaica but also by people around the world who appreciate the unique and delicious flavors of Caribbean cuisine. Different regions and families in Jamaica may have their own variations of the dish, adding to its diverse and vibrant culinary tradition.
This is one of my favorite things about travel. You can really learn a lot about a culture through its cuisine.
Jamaican food reminds me a lot of other Caribbean cuisines, as it features lots of delicious spices, rich stews, and familiar ingredients like rice and plantains. While I didn’t grow up eating Jamaican food, but now that I’ve had it, I can’t get enough.
Rice and peas is a staple side dish in Jamaica and much of the Caribbean. Though called rice and peas, it’s actually made with beans! The reason this name came to be is because Jamaicans call red kidney beans peas – though funnily enough, other varieties of beans are called beans.
Why do Jamaicans call it rice and peas?
Traditionally, this dish is made with pigeon peas (also known as gungo peas), hence the name. However, you’ll often see this dish also made with red kidney beans, which Jamaicans refer to as red peas.
What is Jamaican rice and peas made of?
This rice-based dish features long-grain rice and pigeon peas or kidney beans, cooked in a flavorful coconut milk-based broth. The broth is flavored with scallions (green onions), garlic, onion, ginger, thyme, allspice, bay leaves and Scotch Bonnet peppers.
Quick Jamaican Rice & Peas
FAQ
What do they call peas in Jamaica?
What is the history of rice and peas in Jamaica?
Why do Jamaicans eat rice and peas on Sundays?
What is the meaning of rice and peas?
Why do Jamaicans say ‘rice and peas’?
According to History Professor and Author of A Concise History of the Caribbean, Barry W. Higman, Jamaicans say “rice and peas” to differentiate the dish from similar ones in nearby islands. These countries would refer to their dish as “peas and rice”, “beans and rice”, or “rice and beans”.
Are peas high in calcium?
Peas are a good source of calcium. This is particularly helpful for vegans and vegetarians that may struggle to meet their calcium requirement due to inadequate dairy consumption.
What is Jamaican rice & peas?
The Jamaican rice & peas is just, as the name suggests, rice and peas cooked / prepared together. However, everyone puts their own personal twist on it. Persons prepare their rice and peas with a little difference in types of seasonings, other ingredients and the portions of the spices to “make it their own”.
Why is Jamaican rice and peas called coat of arms?
Jamaican rice and peas has been nicknamed Coat of Arms. Use of this term was first noted in 1930, when A. Bain Alves recalled how hundreds of men and women at a race meeting in Kingston could get up to “a quattie rice and peas” also known as Jamaican Coat of Arms.