![]() As a result, they adapted to their surroundings and used herbs and spices available to them on the island such as Scotch bonnet pepper, which is largely responsible for the heat found in Caribbean jerks. Jamaican jerk sauce primarily developed from formerly enslaved Africans, seasoning and slow cooking wild hogs over allspice wood, which was native to Jamaica at the time and is the most important ingredient in the taste over the centuries it has been modified as various cultures added their influence.įrom the start, the Coromantee slaves found themselves in new surroundings on the island of Jamaica and were forced to use what was available to them. Rather than be re-enslaved by the British, they escaped into Jamaica’s mountainous regions where they mixed in with the local Taínos. When the British invaded Jamaica in 1655 the Spanish colonists fled, leaving behind a large number of African slaves. Jamaican jerk sauce developed as an adaptation by escaped enslaved Coromantee Africans in Jamaica. ![]() Jerk is also derived from the action of jerking, which referred to poking meat with holes so that flavor could more easily be absorbed. The term jerk is said to come from the word charqui, a Spanish term of Quechua origin for jerked or dried meat, which eventually became the word jerky in English. Jerk cooking is popular in Caribbean/West Indian communities throughout North America and Western Europe. The meat is normally, but not limited to, chicken or pork, and the main ingredients of the spicy jerk marinade sauce are pimento and chili peppers. Nowadays, the smoky taste of the meat is achieved using various alternative cooking methods, including the use of modern wood burning ovens. It was originally developed by African slaves who fled into the wilds of Jamaica when the British invaded the island in 1655.Īdapting to their new surroundings, the slaves made use of the natural food sources available to them, creating the spicy sauce and slowly cooking the meat over a smoking wood fire. ![]() Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica, in which meat is dry-rubbed or wet marinated with a hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. Or for those who prefer not to click through:Ĭitizens, we continue our glorious march onwards in the week of sauces to include one most beloved by your glorious Leader – the spicy and herbaceous masterpiece that is Jamaican jerk sauce! ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |