montserratiansnack

Ducana

Name: Ducana
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: montserratian
Ingredients: 500 g sweet potato (peeled and grated); 1 cup desiccated coconut; 0.5 cup brown sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 0.5 tsp cinnamon; 6 pieces banana leaf (softened over flame, cut into 30 cm squares)

Sweet potato and coconut dumplings steamed in banana leaves — a Montserratian festive treat.

Prep

20 min

Cook

45 min

Servings

Difficulty

Medium

★★★★★

4.8(140 ratings)

#dumplings#sweet-potato#coconut#steamed

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About This Recipe

Ducana are sweet, fragrant dumplings made from grated sweet potato, coconut, and spices, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until tender. They are often served alongside saltfish for a classic island pairing.

Ingredients

Serves 6

500 gsweet potato(peeled and grated)
1 cupdesiccated coconut
0.5 cupbrown sugar
1 tspvanilla extract
0.5 tspcinnamon
6 piecesbanana leaf(softened over flame, cut into 30 cm squares)

Instructions

1
Make mixture
Combine grated sweet potato, coconut, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix well.
2
Wrap
Place a heaped scoop on each banana leaf square. Fold tightly and tie with string.
3
Steam
Place parcels in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam 45 minutes.
4
Serve
Unwrap and serve warm as a snack or alongside saltfish.
Foil can substitute for banana leaves if unavailable.

Pro Tips

→
Squeeze excess liquid from sweet potato for firmer dumplings.
→
Foil works as a substitute when banana leaves are unavailable.

Variations

•
Add a pinch of nutmeg.
•
Use pumpkin instead of sweet potato.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 3 days; re-steam to reheat.

History & Origin

Ducana reflects the blending of African, Caribbean, and indigenous culinary traditions, using native sweet potato and coconut wrapped in the island's abundant banana leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake instead of steam?

Steaming is traditional; baking gives a drier texture but still works.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving · 6 servings total

Calories220kcal

Protein2g

Carbohydrates40g

Fat6g

Fiber4g

Protein2g

Carbs40g

Fat6g

Time Summary

Prep time20 min

Cook time45 min

Total time65 min

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Instructions

Make mixture

Combine grated sweet potato, coconut, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix well.

Wrap

Place a heaped scoop on each banana leaf square. Fold tightly and tie with string.

Steam

Place parcels in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam 45 minutes.

Serve

Unwrap and serve warm as a snack or alongside saltfish.

Foil can substitute for banana leaves if unavailable.