What does jambalaya mean and what is it?

Answer 1

There are several "possible" origins of the word Jambalaya.

The first concerns the history of Acadians and the beginnings of Cajun Cuisine.

The word "Jambon", is french for ham. Ham is an ingredient in most recipes for Jambalaya, but not all. "AYA" is said to be an African word for rice but is more likely to be for sorghum. Combining these words Jambonaya and given the Acadian penchant for mixing french and most other languages to form their own unique words, it is a possible the word Jabalaya came about this way.

However! Here is a more plausible answer, at least, to me.

Because of the huge French influence in Louisiana, dishes were often named with french terms connected. Jambalaia is the French word for "Rabble" and jambaraya is the word for "mish-MASH". Somewhere, these words became Jambalaya to describe a concoction of meats,fish and rice with vegetables similar to a Spanish paella.

Answer 2

Jambalaya: noun: a Creole dish of rice with a mixture of fish and meat such as shrimp, chicken, ham, and spicy sausage. A Creole dish consisting of rice that has been cooked with shrimp, oysters, ham, or chicken and seasoned with spices and herbs.

Answer 3

Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken breast and thighs with salt and black pepper.Cook them for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook for 12 minutes covered until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Add rice and cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, paprika, thyme, and ground red pepper then bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for 15 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the large shrimp and cook it for 5 minutes. Take it off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. Sprinkle on chopped green peppers.

Answer 4

Jambalaya is a Louisiana Creole dish of Spanish and French influence.

Answer 5

It's a dish from the Cajun cuisine, involving rice, mixed meats, peppers, tomatoes and other vegetables.

Answer 6

Jambalaya is a rice dish. It looks rather like a paella or risotto.

Answer 7

Jambalaya