What to Eat During Easter: Jamaican Edition
Globally, Easter is a time to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jamaicans see it no differently.
If you’re on the island in mid-April, you’ll likely see bits of evidence that Easter celebrations are underway: Children flying their kites, doing egg hunts, and visiting the local beaches.
Much like any other holiday, Easter has its fair share of treats dedicated solely to it. In this blog post, we’ll explore some Caribbean Easter food—specifically Jamaican Easter food—and what significance they hold to the culture.
Unlike in America, Easter celebrations aren’t limited to Easter Sunday. Jamaicans begin the festivities as early as Good Friday.
Good Friday is the day of Jesus Christ’s death and crucifixion. It takes place the Friday before Easter Sunday. There is no Jamaican Easter without first acknowledging Good Friday.
That being said, it’s important to know what some Jamaican Easter foods are . . .
What Do Jamaicans Eat for Good Friday?
Known widely for their love of seafood and unique desserts, Jamaicans eat a range of dishes during their Easter celebrations. So, what are Jamaican Easter foods?
On Good Friday, you can expect to find 1) Escovitch Fish, 2) Rum Cakes, and 3) Bun & Cheese on their dining table or countertop.
This list is not exhaustive—some meals just weren’t widespread enough to make the cut—so feel free to widen your palate when you visit the island, preferably in April. Let’s dive in!
Picture of Jamaican Escovitch Fish
1. Escovitch Fish
You can’t beat a classic, and Escovitch Fish is one of them!
Prepared with a spicy vinegar sauce, Jamaican Escovitch fish is an Easter staple, usually topped off with onions, peppers and tomatoes. Visually, the meat is white and tender—think about pull-apart pork and you’ve just about nailed the texture!
It’s also incredibly versatile! Eaten year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Easter definitely sees an increase in this dish in Jamaican households.
While Jamaicans are quick to prepare Escovitch Fish for the festivities, some resort to a simple fried fish recipe instead.
Picture of Rum Cake - Aunt Agnes Cakes
2. Rum Cakes
How about starting a new tradition altogether? Serve a slice of rum cake!
Escovitch Fish comes with a spicy yet tart marinade. We recommend pairing with dessert to wash that taste out.
As far as Caribbean Easter desserts go, rum cakes are beloved in every Jamaican household.
They are made from a blend of premium Jamaican rum and fruit—we personally love pineapple and coconut rum cakes. Some recipes are even more unique, like Pina Colada Cake with rum, while others border on traditional: An old fashioned Jamaican Rum Fruit Cake comes to mind!
Whatever your preference, we can’t stress the ‘kick’ of alcohol in every bite. Consider adding a slice to your next Jamaican Easter celebration!
Picture of Jamaican Bun & Cheese
3. Bun & Cheese
We’re not through with the sweet treats just yet!
Compact yet oh so filling, bun & cheese is a go-to snack that fits in the palm of your hand.
The recipe is as easy as it looks: Simply make a sandwich out of a Jamaican spiced bun and cheese slice! Buns are sold locally (and online) in either loaf form or “bun” shapes.
Now for the important question: What kind of cheese is in a Jamaican bun and cheese?
Traditionally, Jamaicans prefer cheddar cheese from the Tastees brand, though other competitors can be found on supermarket shelves once April rolls around!
Of all Caribbean Easter desserts, bun & cheese is one of the most convenient!
But, why is it so common to find Jamaicans eating spiced bun?
Why Do Jamaicans Eat Bun at Easter?
Jamaicans were colonized by Britain and adopted some of their customs. One such tradition was eating hot cross buns on Good Friday.
Originally, honey was one of the British bun’s main ingredients, and a ‘t’ shaped cross was drawn on top of it. While Jamaican bun and cheese looks nothing like the original British dessert, the tradition still holds true to this day!
Picture of Rum Cake - Aunt Agnes Cakes
Before You Go . . .
Like we mentioned before, Easter kicks off on Good Friday in Jamaica, and we’ve decided the best order to enjoy Jamaican Easter food.
Start your morning with a plate of escovitch fish (preferably with a side of fried dumplings or bammy). Throughout the day, you can reach for bun and cheese to hold you over. Make sure you savor that spiced bun taste! Finally, when dessert rolls around, cut yourself a slice of rum cake.
Rum cake has the most variety out of all the options listed here. From pina colada to pineapple to coconut, the flavors are made from your favorite fruit (or fruit cocktails) and feature a delectable dose of Jamaican rum in every bite.
Aunt Agnes Cakes isn’t just a cake in a box, either! We’re Jamaicans through and through. Rum cakes are our speciality — Join hundreds of customers that feel the same way!
Whether you choose to celebrate with an egg hunt or by flying your kite, be sure to pair the celebrations with our top picks for Caribbean Easter food.
