Jamaican Festival Dumplings

And the rhythm of Jamaica finds its way into your kitchen! The next time you smell delicious fried food in the air, it could well be that a festival is underway – and not the kind with loud music, but the Jamaican festival that makes your taste buds dance!

This pastry is far more than just a side dish; it's a little piece of Jamaica on your plate. Crispy on the outside, soft and slightly sweet on the inside – Festival is the perfect accompaniment to jerk chicken, fish (e.g., escovitch fish), or simply enjoyed on its own.

But as with all good things in life, there's more to these fried treasures than just deliciousness. Festival tells the story of tradition, of warm evenings in Kingston, and of the vibe that makes Jamaica so unique. Are you ready to immerse yourself in this world? Then let's get cooking together and celebrate a little festival – no passport required, but with plenty of Caribbean feeling!

Ingredients (cup = approx. 250 ml filling volume)
2 cups wheat flour
1.5 cups cornmeal
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
70 g brown sugar (or alternatively white sugar)
40 g soft butter
250 ml milk (or slightly less if necessary)
1 tsp vanilla extract or the seeds of one vanilla bean
Deep fryer with frying oil

preparation
Knead all ingredients together to form a smooth dough. Gradually add the milk until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky. Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest for about 30 minutes. Shape the dough ball into oblong pieces, about 8-10 cm wide. Deep-fry these in a deep fryer at 170-180 degrees Celsius until golden brown and drain on a kitchen towel.