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Jerk Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

4.1

(18)

Image may contain Food Dessert Cake Pie Dish and Meal
Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio

“There’s no Thanksgiving spread like a Jamaican Thanksgiving spread,” says Pienanny chef-owner Tiffany-Anne Parkes. “When I was growing up, we’d have one table laden with traditional savory dishes like curry goat, rice and peas, and jerk chicken, and another full of pies for dessert. Things are different this year, so I’m making one dish that incorporates an entire feast. Hibiscus cranberry sauce, inspired by my mom’s holiday sorrel drink, tames the heat of the jerk turkey; pie crust stands in for the island's doughy fried festivals; lime-zested mashed potatoes go on top. Like Jamaica itself, this is a mash-up of cultures and flavors and ideas—all together in one delicious savory pie.” Because the pimento wood that is used as a cooking surface during the traditional Jamaican smoking and jerking process is scarce, it is almost impossible to produce true jerk in the United States. Here, we use smoked paprika as well as cloves to help create the smokiness that is essential to the jerk tradition.