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Ital Food · Vital · Pure · Natural

🌱 The Rastafari Culinary Tradition | Nourishing Body, Mind & Spirit
“Ital is living in alignment with the earth — no salt, no synthetic additives, no flesh. Only the purest vibrations of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains.”
EXPLORE THE MARKETPLACE
Ital Pavilion · Four Sacred Paths

Dive deeper into the living essence of Ital. From healing beverages to hands-on cooking demonstrations, ancestral recipes, and the artisans who uphold the tradition — each portal leads you deeper into livity.

Ital Beverages

Sacred tonics, sea moss elixirs, ginger fire, sorrel refreshers & private roots blends. Hydrate with vibration.

Discover libations →

Cooking Demos

Live fire cooking, herbal seasoning workshops, and Nyabinghi kitchen wisdom. Watch elders craft Ital magic.

Watch & learn →

Recipes

Authentic Ital stew peas, jerk tofu, plantain mofongo, and sweet potato pudding. Cook with intention.

Get the recipes →

Vendors

Meet the farmers, herbalists, and artisans behind the Ital Marketplace. Support ethical roots economy.

Meet vendors →
KNOWLEDGE OF ITAL
What is Ital Food?

Ital (derived from “vital”) is the dietary philosophy rooted in Rastafari livity. It emphasizes living foods — unprocessed, plant-based, and grown without chemicals. Ital cooking avoids salt, preservatives, meat, and artificial seasonings, relying instead on fresh herbs (thyme, scallion, rosemary), coconut milk, allspice, garlic, ginger, and Scotch bonnet for depth. The goal is to honor the body as a temple and maintain a high vibration, connecting to Earth’s natural rhythms.

Whole · Living foods

Fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and herbs from the earth. No cans, no artificial additives — food that still carries the sun’s energy.

No Salt, No Flesh

Traditional Ital excludes salt entirely — using coconut aminos, sea vegetables, herbs & spices. No animal products, fish, or eggs. 100% vegan + organic where possible.

Natural Seasoning

Pimento (allspice), escallion, thyme, Scotch bonnet, fresh ginger, and coconut oil bring flavor — food is prepared with love, meditation, and intention.

Livity & Healing

Ital isn't just a diet — it’s a spiritual practice. Meals are shared in community, often accompanied by Nyabinghi drumming, reasoning, and gratitude.

The Ital Feast · SelassieFest 2026

Experience authentic Ital dishes at our Ital Marketplace — every meal prepared fresh, chemical-free, and blessed with Rastafari traditions. Below is the complete menu curated for patrons:

Ital Stew Peas

Red kidney beans, pumpkin, carrots, thyme & rich coconut broth – slow cooked with pimento seeds.

Main / gluten-free

Callaloo & Okra

Fresh amaranth leaves, okra, onions, garlic, simmered in coconut cream & smoked paprika.

Vibrant side

Ital Rice & Peas

Basmati rice, gungo peas (pigeon peas), coconut milk, lemongrass, scallion, and thyme.

Aromatic base

(Plant-based) Jerk ‘Tofu’

Firm tofu marinated 24h in jerk paste (allspice, ginger, scotch bonnet, thyme), grilled over pimento wood.

Protein rich

Mango & Avocado Slaw

Shredded cabbage, green mango, ripe avocado, lime & fresh cilantro – no oil dressing.

Refreshing

Plantain ‘Mofongo’

Twice-fried green plantains mashed with garlic, coconut oil, and crispy kale.

Hearty side

Ginger Turmeric Fire

Fresh pressed ginger, turmeric, lime, black pepper (to activate curcumin) & raw agave.

Elixir / juice

Sorrel ’66 Refresher

Hibiscus flowers steeped with orange peel, clove & star anise, sweetened with date syrup.

Iced beverage

Sweet Potato Pudding

Grated sweet potato, coconut cream, cinnamon, nutmeg & raisins — baked in banana leaf.

Dessert / Ital

Banana ‘Ganja’ Fritters

Ripe mashed banana, cassava flour, hemp seeds, coconut sugar & a touch of cinnamon.

Sweet treat
Signature Festival Recipe · Ital Stew Peas

At SelassieFest, the Ital Stew Peas is our grounding meal — prepared before sunrise by the Ital kitchen collective. This one-pot celebration of earth and spice embodies the livity of Rastafari cuisine.

Ingredients (serves 6-8)

  • 2 cups dried red kidney beans (soaked overnight)
  • 1/2 small pumpkin or butternut squash, diced
  • 1 can coconut milk (full fat, additive-free)
  • 4 cups filtered water or vegetable stock (no salt)
  • 3 stalks fresh thyme & 2 sprigs rosemary
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper (whole, for gentle heat)
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 1 tsp allspice (pimento) powder + 4 whole allspice berries
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 large carrot, cubed
  • Freshly ground black pepper & optional coconut aminos for umami
“Ital cooking is intentional — every stir, every herb whispered with prayer. The stew peas connects us to ancestral grounds.”

Traditional Preparation

  • Rinse soaked kidney beans thoroughly. In a large heavy pot, heat coconut oil and gently sauté garlic, ginger, scallions, and allspice for 1 minute.
  • Add beans, water (or veg stock), thyme, rosemary, whole scotch bonnet, and allspice berries. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour — until beans begin to soften.
  • Add diced pumpkin, carrot, and continue to simmer for another 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are creamy and vegetables tender.
  • Pour in coconut milk, stir gently, and let it meld for another 15-20 minutes over low flame. Remove scotch bonnet (for heat adjust) and herb stems.
  • Adjust with black pepper and a splash of coconut aminos if desired (no salt!). The natural sweetness of pumpkin and coconut brings deep flavor.
  • Serve over Ital Rice & Peas or enjoy as a hearty stew with fried plantains on side. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.

Chef’s note: For deeper flavour, use a traditional clay pot and let the stew rest for 30 minutes before serving — the beans absorb all the aroma.

Ital Beverage Pairing

Enjoy the Stew Peas with a tall glass of Ginger Turmeric Fire or cool Spring Water with Mint & Lime. Also available: fresh coconut water straight from the husk.

At the Marketplace

All dishes are prepared in a dedicated Ital kitchen & blessed by elders. Every meal respects the earth — biodegradable bowls, no single-use plastics, and leftover produce given to community compost.

The Wisdom of Ital

Alkaline & Vitality

Ital meals are naturally alkaline, anti-inflammatory, and rich in living enzymes — promoting mental clarity and physical endurance during long festival days.

Environmental Stewardship

No factory farming, no preservatives — Ital honors sustainable agriculture. At SelassieFest we source from BIPOC farmers and urban gardens.

Medicinal Herbalism

Fresh ginger, turmeric, soursop leaves, and moringa are often infused into Ital cooking, turning every meal into a healing ritual.

Join us at the Ital Fire Kitchen

At SelassieFest · July 25, 2026 — Chicago’s Ethiopian Heritage Grounds, you’ll taste these dishes fresh from the flame, meet Ital chefs, and attend cooking demos at the Ital Marketplace Pavilion.

Learn about SelassieFest

📍 Ital Village open 9AM – 8PM | Free workshops: "Herbs & Spices of the Caribbean" & "Ital Fermentation 101"