The Jamaican fried festival is a popular street and beach food. It’s a great snack or side dish to have for lunch or dinner. It’s sweet, savory, and full of flavor.
What is Jamaican Festival?
Festivals as most people call them are deep-fried dough made of maize, flour, and sugar, milk, baking powder, and salt that is usually served as a side dish. Mainly paired with Escovitvh Fish among many other Jamaican dishes.
Jamaican Festival
Festival is very unique to Jamaica. Correct me if I am wrong but I’ve never seen it anywhere else outside of the Caribbean. Usually, they are served as side dishes and served with fish. It is usually beach food for many Jamaicans. I had mine with some Escovitch Fish and Fried Okra. You can have it as a snack or whatever you would like.
What does Jamaican Festival Taste like?
I wish I could explain what it is similar to. However, the taste has a sweet, savory note. You can taste that it has cornmeal and brown sugar. It’s very delicious! It is best served hot and doesn’t hold up overnight so make sure to make what you need.
Is Jamaican Festival Gluten-free?
Trandinally not, but can be gluten-free by using almond flour.
Jamaican Festival Recipe
- Cornmeal, flour, and sugar is an essential part of making Jamaican festival
- Butter, using butter allows the festival to get a flakier and slightly crispy texture on the outside.
- Adding spices such as nutmeg and vanilla will add tons of flour.
- You want to ensure you have a soft, smooth, and tight dough.
- Allowing the dough to rest is critical.
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Jamaican Festival
Equipment
- Frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornmeal
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup brown or white sugar
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup of cold water
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and mix together.
- Then add sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, salt, and mix well.
- Make a well inside the center of the flour and add a small amount of the water at a time then knead the dough until it is smooth and soft (not thick, mushy or sticky).
- Cover the dough with a plastic wrap and let it sit for at least a 1hr.
- On a flat surface sprinkle a 1 ounce of flour.
- After the dough has rested, place it on the floured flat surface then break apart a piece of the dough and roll it in the palm of your hand until you make a smooth ball. Repeat until the dough is finished.
- After you have created the balls. Put one ball at a time in the palm of your hand and roll to make a cylinder shape with the ends thinner and pointy.
- Add oil to pot and heat to around 300-320 degrees. Add rolled dough a fry until golden brown. Should take around 5 mins on each side.