Stew peas facts for kids

Stew peas is a yummy Jamaican stew dish. It's made with creamy coconut milk, different kinds of beans, and salted meat. This dish is super popular and a common meal in Jamaica.

What is Stew Peas?

Stew peas is a special Jamaican stew. It uses coconut milk and beans like gungo peas (also called pigeon peas) or red peas (which are kidney beans). It also often has meats like pork or beef, which are usually salted.

Other things that make stew peas tasty include onions, garlic, mixed vegetables, scallions, and sometimes even pig tail. Chefs also add different herbs and spices to make it flavorful. The beans don't just add flavor; they also help to make the stew thick and creamy. In some parts of the Caribbean where people speak Spanish, pinto beans are often used instead.

You can make stew peas with canned beans if you're in a hurry, and a pressure cooker can make it even faster! Sometimes, people even make stew peas without any meat at all.

In Jamaica, stew peas often has flour dumplings in it. These dumplings are called "spinners" because of their shape. Stew peas is usually served on top of rice or with rice on the side. The rice isn't cooked in the stew itself. Instead, the stew makes the plain rice moist and adds lots of flavor. Stew peas is also a great source of protein, which is good for your body!

This dish is enjoyed in many parts of the Caribbean, but it's especially loved in Jamaica. Many people even call it a national dish of Jamaica. Jamaicans have many unique ways to prepare stew peas, and it's a regular meal in homes and restaurants. Back in September 1992, a Jamaican newspaper called The Gleaner even said that stew peas with rice was "the best dish made in Jamaica"!

History of Stew Peas

Stew peas has been a part of Jamaican cooking for a long time. People have been making this dish since at least the 1940s. Recipes for stew peas started showing up in cookbooks in the 1970s, showing how popular it was becoming.