I wasn't born or raised in Jamaica but I did visit the island once. During that visit I ate familiar dishes including saltfish fritters. As a Jamaican descendant, saltfish fritters were a frequent lunch dish in my household. In Jamaican culture, the act of cooking and sharing meals is a cherished tradition, embodying the spirit of community and connection that brings families together. The dish dates back to when Africans were enslaved. Africans adapted to the European ingredients but yet still kept their flavor profiles and cooking techniques.

   My mother would fry the coated saltfish in a flour based batter that included spices. The one ingredient that separates my family's recipe from the traditional Jamaican recipe is one basic fruit, lemon. My grandmother puts lemon juice in the batter and mixes it with the spices.  Lemon juice gives a slight zesty flavor that makes our family dish stand out from the traditional Jamaican recipe. My grandmother handed down the family recipe to my mother which eventually was passed to me.     
As a young girl arriving from school, the savory aroma of fried coated saltfish would waft down the hallways of my childhood home. Everytime the dish is made the smell triggers a wave of nostalgia. I would reminisce about the race between my siblings and I to see who could change out of school clothes to house clothes and make it to the table for the first batch of fritters. 

– Ariel

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant