Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe: Jerk Chicken Wings

Jerk Wings. You know how some folks/establishments can take “Jerk Seasoning” over the top? This AINT it! Wonderfully flavorful, slightly sweet with a tropical Umami flavor. These wings were surprisingly good, with an equally surprising Lime Crema, rather than typical Bleu Cheese, Ranch Dressing side. Smoked, then sauced – slightly crispy on the outside and wonderfully tender inside. Saucy, so be ready to get dirty!

Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe:

5119 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33603

History of Jerk Seasoning in Jamaica

The well-loved spice blend has been around for more than a century. It is said that both the jerk process and seasoning were designed by the Maroons (people who had escaped slavery) who learned how to cook meat without the release of smoke and preserve meat with specific herbs and spices.

The Maroons would hunt and prepare wild boar by heavily coating the meat with the marinade to preserve it. Then, when it was time to cook, they dug holes, added firewood and placed the meat on top, then covered it all so no smoke would escape. This was done to avoid alerting the slave owners to their location.

The modern jerk cooking process is quite similar. Today, it includes smoking well-marinated meat over the greenwood of a pimento tree covered by big sheets of metal. But authentic jerk food spots in Jamaica will jerk the meat in a large “jerk pit” much like the Maroons did.

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