Jamaican patties
Spiced meat pastries
Jamaican patties are savory pastries with a flaky, golden-yellow crust encasing spiced meat filling, traditionally seasoned beef.
The distinctive color comes from turmeric or annatto in the dough.
Chicken, vegetable, and other fillings are common variations.
Often eaten as street food or a quick lunch, they're a staple of Jamaican cuisine and Caribbean diaspora communities: We grabbed beef patties from the shop on Flatbush.
Caribbean nation's capital
- Montego BayJamaican coastal resort city
- reggaeJamaican offbeat music style
- islandWater-bounded land mass
- patoisRegional informal speech
jerk seasoning · ackee · saltfish · rum · carnival · Rastafari · street vendor · beach
Chopped cattle flesh
- minced meatFinely chopped animal flesh
- vegetableEdible plant part
- lambJuvenile sheep
- saltfishCured, dried seafood
ackee · callaloo · cheese · soy · lentil · oxtail · shrimp · goat
Lantern-shaped tropical chile
- allspiceMultiplex tropical seasoning
- thymeAromatic culinary herb
- curry powderGround spice mixture
- turmericYellow rhizome spice
ginger · garlic · scallion · habanero · pimento · cayenne · black pepper · cumin
Crumbly or unreliable
- goldenBright yellow, or precious
- crustHard outer layer
- butteryRich like a spread
- layersStacked levels or coatings
hand pie · turnover · baked · crispy · puff · laminated · shortcrust · shell
Designed for palm use
- street foodCasual vendor-sold eats
- snackLight between-meal fare
- lunchMidday meal
- sandwichFilling between bread slices
takeaway · fast food · convenience · portable · quick bite · deli · bakery · food truck
Kingston
Caribbean nation's capital
- Montego BayJamaican coastal resort city
- reggaeJamaican offbeat music style
- islandWater-bounded land mass
patois · jerk seasoning · ackee · saltfish · rum · carnival · Rastafari · street vendor · beach · tropical
ground beef
Chopped cattle flesh
- minced meatFinely chopped animal flesh
- vegetableEdible plant part
- lambJuvenile sheep
saltfish · ackee · callaloo · cheese · soy · lentil · oxtail · shrimp · goat · mixed vegetables
scotch bonnet
Lantern-shaped tropical chile
- allspiceMultiplex tropical seasoning
- thymeAromatic culinary herb
- curry powderGround spice mixture
turmeric · ginger · garlic · scallion · habanero · pimento · cayenne · black pepper · cumin · paprika
flaky
Crumbly or unreliable
layers · hand pie · turnover · baked · crispy · puff · laminated · shortcrust · shell · wrapper
handheld
Designed for palm use
- street foodCasual vendor-sold eats
- snackLight between-meal fare
- lunchMidday meal
sandwich · takeaway · fast food · convenience · portable · quick bite · deli · bakery · food truck · cafeteria