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Conkies
Barbados' Independence Day pumpkin, sweet potato, coconut and cornmeal parcels, steamed in banana leaves
Conkies are made all over Barbados in late November for Independence Day on 30 November, when they're sold at roadside stalls and steamed in big pots at home; older Bajans remember them from Guy Fawkes Night, too. A spiced batter of grated pumpkin, sweet potato and coconut, cornmeal, sugar and raisins is folded into squares of banana leaf and steamed until it sets. Unwrapped, they're moist, dense, sweet and fragrant with nutmeg, almond and the faint green tea scent of the leaf. Chef's tip: pass the banana leaves briefly over a gas flame or dip them in hot water first; they turn glossy and supple and fold without splitting.
- Total time
- 120 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
For the batter
For wrapping
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Wipe 6 banana leaves clean. Pass each piece briefly over a gas flame or dip in very hot water until it turns bright and glossy and is supple. Cut 12 pieces of foil the same size to wrap outside the leaves.
10 minStep 2: In a large bowl, mix 10 ½ oz pumpkin or orange squash, 7 oz sweet potato, 7 oz freshly grated coconut, 7 oz fine cornmeal, 6 ½ oz dark brown sugar, 3 ½ oz raisins, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp ground cinnamon and ½ tsp salt.
5 minStep 3: Stir in 3 oz butter, 1 cup evaporated milk and 1 tsp almond essence to make a thick batter that drops heavily off the spoon. A common mistake is a runny batter, which leaks out of the parcels; add a spoon more cornmeal if it pours.
2 minStep 4: Put 3 heaped tablespoons of batter in the middle of each leaf. Fold the long sides over, then fold the ends under to make a neat, flat parcel. Wrap each in foil or tie with 1 kitchen string or foil.
20 minStep 5: Bring 5 cm of water to the boil in a large pot with a steamer basket or a rack. Stack the parcels in, folded side down, cover tightly and steam over a medium heat for 1 hour–1 hour 15 minutes, topping up with boiling water as needed.
75 minStep 6: Unwrap one to test: it should be firm, set right through and come away cleanly from the leaf. Cool for 10 minutes and serve warm in the leaf.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 320 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 48 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does conkies take?
- About 120 minutes in total: 45 minutes to prepare and 75 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of sweet potato?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of dark brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tbsp molasses or treacle per 200g.
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