The Caribbean Cuisine Cookbook includes a mixture of cooking techniques, flavours, spices and ingredients from the indigenous people of the Caribbean islands. Caribbean cooking is strongly influenced by the Spanish, British, Africans, Indian and Chinese, who have inhabited the island since the beginning of time. The above diverse cultural influence is still prominent in Caribbean dishes today. Popular Caribbean dishes include Curry Goat, Friend Dumplings, Ackee and Salt Fish (cod) which is the national dish of Jamaica, Fried Plantain, Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork, Steamed Cabbage, Rice and Peas and a wide variety of seafood dishes. Jamaican patties and various parties and breads are also popular as well as fruit beverages and the famous Jamaican rum.