Festival

These deep-fried cornmeal fritters, often sold at street stalls, are usually eaten with fried fish or jerked meats as snacks, in Jamaica.

1 cup flour

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 tsp baking powder

1⁄2 tsp cinnamon

a pinch of salt

1 TBS sugar

1⁄2 cup salted butter

1⁄4 tsp almond extract

1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract

2⁄3–1 cup whole milk

vegetable oil for deep-frying

• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and sugar.
• Rub the butter well into the flour mixture.
• Add flavorings and just enough milk to flour the mixture to make a stiff dough.
• Knead lightly and divide into twelve portions.
• Form into small, flattened cigars.
• In a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat enough vegetable oil for deep-frying to 3508F.
• Fry just a few festivals at a time until golden brown. Drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve hot.