As the day of Christ’s birth approaches, Our Today would like to explore the top five foods that form a part of most, if not all, Christmas meals here on the island of wood and water.

Gungo Peas

Throughout the year, Jamaicans usually enjoy the traditional rice and peas, but, for Christmas, the red beans are put aside and replaced with gungo peas, otherwise known as pigeon peas. This is usually a part of the main meal for Christmas dinner. This delectable dish is normally cooked and seasoned in coconut milk. Rice with gungo peas is also a pretty healthy choice, as it is vegan and gluten free.

Ham

While there are some, like Seventh-day Adventists and Rastafarians, who cling to their culture and values, opting not to indulge in the eating of pork of any kind, other Jamaicans usually include ham topped with pineapples and sometimes cherries and clovers with their Christmas meal. It is said that if one is deciding to prepare ham as part of their Christmas dinner, it is wise to buy or order way ahead of time.

Sorrel

Oh boy, oh boy… as children many of us might not have liked this customary Christmas beverage, but, as adults, it is something that we learn to love. Sorrel, which is usually made with ginger, is poured in boiled water for at least 24 hours, and then is strained, sweetened, topped off with rum (Red Label Wine), mixed and chilled. If you didn’t know, sorrel is the most popular drink of this season.

Fruit Cake

Whether it is baked at home or bought from a store, this tasty dessert is always consumed during the Christmas season. The fruit cake usually includes raisins, dried fruit and is soaked in, more often than not, Red Label Wine. It has also become customary to offer visitors to your household a slice.

Chicken of any kind

And of course, there’s the one food Jamaicans definitely can’t do without – chicken! Whether it’s baked, fried, stewed or boiled, chicken is almost always on the Christmas menu. Although it is had all throughout the year, it is something Jamaicans never exclude.