Jamaican Festivals are crispy on the outside and soft & sweet on the inside.

It’s comfort food to the soul.

These Jamaican Festivals are fried dumplings that has a sweet taste and can be eat by itself or served with Ackee & Saltfish, Escovitch Fish, Jerk Chicken or even some Jamaican Curry Chicken.

Jamaican Festivals are a favorite among every person back home.

It can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

If you are travelling to Jamaica, once you stop at a roadside restaurant, Jamaican Festivals are a must on the menu.

Even if you are staying at a Hotel and they have a Jamaica Night, again its a must on the menu.

What can be served with Jamaican Festivals

I love to eat this with some Fried Fish or Escovitch Fish.

I think there is something about sweet, spicy and salty with some cooked onions.

My second favorite is with some Jerk Chicken or Jerk Pork.

My mouth is beginning to water with the thought of these food.

Actually, you can even eat these by them self, without any meat at all.

Shaping your Jamaican Festivals

Traditionally, Jamaican Festivals have a cigar shape which is about 4 to 5 inches long.

However, once the dough is prepared, you can choose to form a round shape instead.

The round shape like biscuit is mostly called Jamaican Fried Dumplings, even though majority of the time cornmeal is not in it.

I normally do the cigar shape when I am doing mine.

Please keep in mind that the size that you shaped it in, will rise a little bit more as it get cooked in the oil.

So try not to make them too big.

Give the recipe below a try and let me know what you think.

How to make Jamaican Festivals

You can fry these in a skillet or you can choose to do them in a deep fryer.

Honestly, I do them in a deep fryer.

Allow the oil to heat to about 300 degrees.

Firstly, sift the flour and add the salt, baking powder, sugar, cornmeal and allspice. Whisk together. Add the room temperature butter and use your hand to spread it evenly.

Secondly, add the vanilla extract and the milk or water and knead into a ball. Cover the dough with a damp kitchen cloth or plastic wrap for about 30 minutes.

Thirdly, divide the dough into about 6 pieces. Use your hands and roll in a cigar looking shape.

Fourthly, heat oil in a large skillet. Add each festival into the heated oil and fry on both sides fro about 8 to 10 minutes or until each festival is golden brown.

Finally, place the finished festivals on paper towels. Serve warm and enjoy.

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Jamaican Festivals Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup of All purpose flour
• 1/2 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter, room temperature
• 2 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 2 Tablespoon Cornmeal
• 1/8 teaspoon Allspice
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups of Vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup Water or Milk

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, add the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cornmeal, and allspice.
2. Whisk the dry ingredients, so they are evenly distributed.
3. Add the room temperature butter to the dry ingredients and use your hands to spread it evenly.
4. Add the vanilla extract and then slowly pour the milk or water to knead the mixture together to form a big dough. It’s best to use your hands to form the dough.
5. If you find that the 1/3 cup of water was not enough, drizzle in some water. The dough should be firm and not sticky.
6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for about 30 minutes.
7. Once it is rested, dust an area with some flour and start to separate into equal pieces. About 6 pieces. Use your hands to form each piece by rolling it. Make each festival about 4 to 5 inches long.
8. Pour the 2 cups of vegetable oil in a skillet on medium heat. Once it is hot enough, gently put the festivals into the skillet.
9. Let them cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each sides or until golden brown. All together they will take about 8 to 10 minutes in total to cook. It can be less time.
10. Once they are finished cooking, remove with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to absorb the extra oil. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

1. I prefer to use milk to add to the dry ingredients, instead of water.
2. Also, For this recipe I did more than 1 cup of flour and these were done in a deep fryer instead of a skillet on the stove top.

Enjoy these Jamaican Festivals which are crispy on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside. I hope you will love them as much as how I love them.

Please let me know what you think about these Jamaican Festivals in the comment section below and of course 5 stars if you love it.

Thanks for stopping by and please come back again.

Blessings and Love, as you carry on, on your YouNique Journey!