The Jamaican street-food dish of flaky pastry filled with seasoned meat is the Jamaican patty.
A Jamaican patty is a baked pastry with a distinctive yellow-gold crust and a savory filling. Beef is the classic filling, but chicken, vegetables, seafood, and cheese versions are also widely sold. The pastry is often folded into a half-moon shape and crimped at the edge.
Jamaican patties developed through the island’s layered culinary history. British baked pies, Indian spices, and African and Caribbean cooking traditions all contributed to the form associated with Jamaica today. Turmeric or curry powder is commonly linked with the pastry’s color and flavor.
A Jamaican patty is related to the wider family of filled hand pies but is not the same as an empanada or Cornish pasty. The Jamaican version is particularly known for its flaky crust, assertive seasoning, and popularity as an inexpensive portable meal.