Meaning
A savoury dish of cornmeal stirred, or 'turned', into a thick, smooth mass as it cooks in a seasoned liquid with vegetables, salt fish, or meat — much like a soft polenta. The constant turning to keep it smooth and lump-free as it thickens is what gives the dish its name. Hearty, cheap, and filling, turn cornmeal is honest country and family food, stretching a little seasoning and a little fish into a satisfying pot, and it belongs to the old, thrifty tradition of the one-pot cornmeal dishes of the Jamaican kitchen.
Examples
-
She a turn di cornmeal so it nuh lump up.
She's stirring the cornmeal so it doesn't get lumpy.
-
Turn cornmeal wid saltfish a good dinner.
Turn cornmeal with saltfish is a good dinner.
-
Yuh haffi turn it steady fi it come smooth.
You have to stir it steadily for it to come out smooth.
Origin
Named for the cooking action — the cornmeal must be 'turned' (stirred vigorously) as it thickens to keep it smooth.
How it’s used
A savoury cornmeal dish, akin to polenta; different from sweet cornmeal porridge.