Festival (food) facts for kids

Festivals

Festivals are a delicious type of deep-fried bread that comes from Jamaica. Even though they taste a little sweet, they are usually served with savory (not sweet) dishes. You might find them alongside tasty meals like fried fish, escovitch fish, or jerk chicken.

Festivals

What are Festivals?

Festivals are a popular part of Jamaican cuisine. They are often enjoyed as a side dish, adding a soft and slightly sweet contrast to spicier or saltier main courses. Imagine a warm, fluffy piece of bread that's been lightly fried until it's golden brown. That's a festival!

How are Festivals Made?

Making festivals involves a few simple ingredients. The dough is usually made from wheat flour, Cornmeal, and sugar. It also includes baking powder to help it rise, a pinch of salt, and either milk powder mixed with water or regular milk.

Once all the ingredients are mixed, water is added to form a soft dough. This dough is then shaped into small pieces, often like a long oval or a small bun.

Cooking and Enjoying Festivals

After shaping, the dough pieces are carefully placed into hot cooking oil and fried until they are golden and crispy. The trick is to get them perfectly cooked so they are crunchy on the outside but wonderfully soft and fluffy on the inside.

Festivals are best served hot, right after they are cooked. They are a beloved comfort food in Jamaica and a must-try if you ever get to taste authentic Jamaican food!

See also

In Spanish: Festival (fritura jamaicana) para niños