description Red peas soup Overview
Red peas soup is a traditional Jamaican stew primarily made with red kidney beans, locally known as red peas. The dish is simmered with salted pork or beef, coconut milk, and aromatics such as scallion, thyme, and scotch bonnet pepper. It characteristically includes starchy ground provisions like yam and potatoes, as well as dense flour dumplings called "spinners." Often served as a substantial Saturday meal, this soup is a staple of Jamaican home cooking that utilizes accessible, filling ingredients.
help Red peas soup FAQ
Are the red peas in Jamaican red peas soup actually peas?
The name usually refers to red kidney beans, which Jamaicans commonly call red peas. Some versions use cowpeas or related beans, but kidney beans are the familiar base.
What meat goes into Jamaican red peas soup?
Traditional versions may contain salted beef, pig's tail, or another salted pork cut. The meat is often soaked or boiled first to control its saltiness before it cooks with the beans.
What are the small dumplings in red peas soup called?
The slender flour dumplings are called spinners because the dough is rolled between the palms into narrow shapes. They cook directly in the soup alongside ingredients such as yam, potato, carrot, or chocho.
Why is red peas soup associated with Saturdays in Jamaica?
Saturday is traditionally soup day in many Jamaican households, when a large, filling pot can be prepared for the family. Red peas soup is one of several Saturday soups, alongside chicken, beef, and cow-foot variations.
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