News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Oct. 12, 2018: In the Caribbean and Jamaica, Ital is the Rastafarian term for vegetarian. As such, Ital or veggie is the vegetarian option for a stew peas dish that is especially popular in Jamaica. Here’s the recipe.
INGREDIENTS
2 can red peas (kidney beans)
2 whole scotch bonnet peppers
¼ cup water
2 cups coconut milk
2 bay leaves
10 pimento grains (all-spice)
4 cloves garlic (1 crushed and 3 whole)
3 chopped scallions
1 small onion chopped
3 sprigs of thyme
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon natural sea salt (sold in stores)
2 Irish potatoes peeled and cubed
1 Sweet potato peeled and cubed
3 carrots, sliced
Veggie spinners/dumplings
- 1 cup wheat flour
- Enough water to bind
METHOD:
Pour the canned tins of peas into a colander and rinse with cold water.
Add to a pot.
Place coconut milk, bay leaves, scallion, pimento grain, whole garlic and whole pepper in the pot.
Slowly boil and simmer until the peas are tender.
Season by adding the onions, crushed garlic and thyme.
Add carrots, spinners and potatoes
Let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
SPINNERS
Place flour in a medium bowl.
Work mixture with hands while adding enough water to bind, making a stiff dough.
Roll into 1-inch long pieces, drop into boiling stew peas or soup.
Boil until they float or add them during the last 10-mins of the cooking process.
Remove the bay leaves and hot pepper from the stew if desired.
Serve hot with brown or white rice.
