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 Jamaican Hard Food

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How to Cook Authentic Jamaican Hard Food (Boiled Dumplings, Banana & plantain)

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 In Jamaica, no breakfast or dinner is complete without "Hard Food." This classic meal usually consists of a mix of Yellow Yam, Green Banana, and Boiled Dumplings. But, as many of us know, the situation at the market has drastically changed since the passing of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025. Current Market Situation : Ground provisions have become very expensive. Yellow yam is now $500 per pound and white yam is $400 per pound. Even worse, many of these yams are hollow and filled with black spots, making them unappealing to buy. Sweet potatoes are also priced at $300 per pound, but most are rotten and full of worms. Because of this, I’ve turned to green bananas and plantains as my go-to substitute for yam in this recipe. Safety Considerations : It’s also essential to think about safety. Since the produce was likely covered in floodwater, I’m taking extra precautions when preparing these ingredients. This is a method I’ve developed for cooking safe, delicious hard f...
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The Rising Cost of Sweet Pepper in Jamaica

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  The Growing Struggle with Sweet Pepper Prices Sweet pepper also known as bell pepper  may not be an essential in every Jamaican kitchen, but it certainly finds its way into many dishes we love. Whether it’s in stew chicken , stew pork , fry-up saltfish , or steam cabbage , sweet pepper adds that vibrant flavor and color that many of us crave. But these days, walking into a market and seeing the price of sweet pepper can leave you shocked. At $1000 per pound , it's become one of the more expensive items on the grocery list, and the situation has worsened because sweet pepper is now scarce . Even if you can afford to buy it, vendors are prioritizing their loyal customers , making it a challenge to get your hands on any at all. It’s a far cry from the days when sweet pepper was abundant and affordable . In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on why sweet pepper has become such a luxury item , and how the recent Hurricane Melissa has worsened the situation. The Price Surge: A ...
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Hot Pepper Price Gouging in Jamaica: $1,000/lb Market vs. $400/lb Supermarket

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Hurricane Melissa Aftermath: Who's Really Price Gouging on Jamaican Hot Pepper? Price gouging in Jamaican markets has become an all-too-familiar problem. For those of us who rely on the markets for basic food items, it's hard to ignore how local Black sellers are pricing their products unfairly. In contrast, some Chinese-owned supermarkets are offering the same items for much less. So, why is this happening, and what does it mean for us as consumers? The Reality of Price Gouging in the Market Greed is one of the main reasons behind this issue. It’s clear that many local sellers are more interested in making a quick profit than in supporting their own communities. The prices are inflated to an unreasonable degree, and it feels like those who are supposed to have our backs are only looking out for themselves. Take something as simple as  hot peppers,  a basic ingredient in many Jamaican dishes. Black market sellers charge upwards of   $1000 per dozen , but you can walk in...
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