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Tobago toolum
Toolum: chewy coconut, molasses and ginger balls
Toolum is one of Tobago's oldest sweets, made in villages like Moriah and Charlotteville from fresh grated coconut cooked down in molasses with grated ginger until dark and chewy, then rolled into rough balls. It is less crunchy than benne balls, with a deep, almost liquorice-like molasses taste and a ginger kick. The common mistake is stopping too early, when the mixture is still wet; it should pull away from the pan in one sticky mass. Freshly grated coconut gives the best chew. Chef's tip: stir with a wooden spoon and scrape the bottom constantly in the last 10 minutes, as molasses scorches quickly once the water has gone.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 16
Ingredients
- 10 ½ oz fresh grated coconutor unsweetened desiccated soaked in 100 ml hot water
- ½ cup molasses
- 3 ½ oz brown sugar
- 1 oz fresh gingerfinely grated
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tsp vegetable oilfor your hands
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put ½ cup molasses, 3 ½ oz brown sugar, 1 oz fresh ginger, ¼ cup water, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg and 1 pinch salt in a heavy pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
5 minStep 2: Stir in 10 ½ oz fresh grated coconut and cook, stirring often, until the liquid is absorbed and the mixture darkens.
15 minStep 3: Keep cooking for another 8–10 minutes, scraping the base constantly, until it is very thick, sticky and leaves the sides of the pan cleanly.
10 minStep 4: Spread on a plate and cool for 10 minutes until warm to the touch. Rub your hands with 1 tsp vegetable oil and roll tablespoons into balls. Let them firm up and store airtight for up to a week.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 15 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tobago toolum take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 16 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tbsp molasses or treacle per 200g.
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
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