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Duckunoo
Sweet potato and coconut parcels
Duckunoo (blue draws, tie-a-leaf): sweet potato and coconut parcels boiled in banana leaf
Duckunoo goes by many names across Jamaica, "blue draws" and "tie-a-leaf" among them, and it is a country sweet with West African roots that is still made in St Elizabeth and Clarendon for Sunday afternoons and Emancipation Day. Grated sweet potato, cornmeal and coconut milk are spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, folded into banana leaves and boiled until they set into dense, moist, fudgy parcels. The usual mistake is tying the leaves loosely, so water gets in and the pudding turns soggy. Chef's tip: pass the leaves quickly over a flame first; they turn bright green, soft and won't split as you fold.
- Total time
- 90 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the batter
- 1 ⅛ lb sweet potatopeeled and finely grated
- 3 ½ oz fine cornmeal
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 5 ½ oz dark brown sugar
- 2 ⅛ oz raisins
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
For wrapping
- 8 banana leavesabout 30 cm squares, fresh or thawed frozen
- 8 kitchen stringlengths, or strips torn from the leaves
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Wipe 8 banana leaves clean and pass each quickly over a gas flame or dip in boiling water until bright and supple.
5 minStep 2: Bring a large pot of water to the boil.
Step 3: Mix 1 ⅛ lb sweet potato, 3 ½ oz fine cornmeal, 1 cup coconut milk, 5 ½ oz dark brown sugar, 2 ⅛ oz raisins, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract and ¼ tsp salt into a thick batter that drops slowly from the spoon. If it is very stiff add a splash of water.
Step 4: Spoon about 1/8 of the batter into the centre of each leaf. Fold the sides over, then the ends, to make a neat flat parcel, and tie firmly with 8 kitchen string so no water can seep in.
Step 5: Lower the parcels into the boiling water, cover and simmer for 45–50 minutes, topping up with boiling water so they stay covered.
50 minStep 6: Lift one out and open it: it is done when the pudding is firm, dark and no longer sticky at the centre. Drain and cool for 10 minutes before unwrapping. Serve warm or cold.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 310 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 55 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does duckunoo take?
- About 90 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 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 sweet potato?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of coconut milk?
- Single cream, same amount (not dairy free).
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