Tasty Island Food

It is time to sample some Colombian Pollo Asado (Roast Chicken), or as we know it in Jamaica, Jamaican Jerk Chicken.

Chicken may possibly be the most consumed meat of all time and in Colombia, it´s no different; the Pollo Asado – Roast Chicken is eaten every day.

Treasures of Colombia: Colombian Pollo Asado (Colombian Jerk Chicken)

By: Stacey- Ann Smith

I referred to the Pollo Asado as our Jamaican Jerk Chicken because it bears a slight resemblance in appearance and texture. Notwithstanding, the preparation and cooking process is completely different as well as the taste.

Additionally, the Pollo Asado is mainly eaten every day at lunchtime whereas; the Jerk Chicken is eaten mostly between evening time and night-time.

The Pollo Asado is grilled in a large, standing industrial oven or home grill which spins on metal rods with an open flame at the bottom; this chicken rotates and cooks in its own fat and juices until it is golden brown, then it’s ready to be taken from the grill.  Not much spice is added to the chicken before it enters the grill-oven.

The chicken is based (rubbed) with butter or oil and salt, sometimes the chicken is stuffed with onions and special herbs – depending on the chef who is doing the preparation.

Where they are both synonymous, the preparation is different; before the chicken is jerked it is well seasoned with our special Jamaican jerk marinate and special spices. In addition, it is slow cooked in a pan and maneuvered manually as opposed to a rotating grill. When the Jerk chicken is ready to be eaten, ketchup and pepper sauce is added alongside a few slices of bread or rice and peas.

In contrast, the Pollo Asado is accompanied by a special sauce separately in a small bowl or plastic bag that consists of chopped onions, scallion, chopped tomatoes, cilantro water, and ketchup.

This is then devoured with potatoes, yucca (cassava) and sometimes French fries.