Festival (Jamaican Fried Dumplings) - Oceanian Recipe

Festival (Jamaican Fried Dumplings)

🌍 Oceanian, Jamaican Difficulty: ●●●○○

Festival was created in Jamaica as an accompaniment to jerk — its mild sweetness balances the fiery, smoky heat of jerk seasoning; the name celebrates its festive purpose and it is now sold at every roadside jerk stand.

Ingredients

• 250 g all-purpose flour
• 100 g fine yellow cornmeal
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp sugar (festival should be slightly sweet — this is what distinguishes it)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 150–170 ml water
• Oil for deep-frying

Method

1. Combining — Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
2. Adding — Add vanilla and water gradually, mixing to a smooth, slightly sticky dough.
3. Resting — Rest dough for 10 minutes.
4. Dividing — Divide into 8–10 pieces; roll each into a finger shape about 10 cm long, tapered at the ends.
5. Heating — Heat oil to 170°C (340°F) — lower than most frying temperatures.
6. Frying — Fry 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over.
7. Step 7 — Festival should be slightly crunchy outside with a soft, slightly sweet interior.
8. Serving — Serve immediately alongside jerk chicken or ackee and saltfish.

Tags: all-purpose flour, fine yellow cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, vanilla extract · Source: Brittani's Almanac