Ducana

About This Recipe

Ducana are fragrant steamed dumplings made from grated sweet potato, coconut, and spices, traditionally wrapped in banana leaves and boiled. They are a staple side dish at Sunday lunches across Antigua, often served alongside saltfish or stewed meats.

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 500 gsweet potato, peeled and grated
• 1 cupgrated fresh coconut
• ½ cupbrown sugar
• 1 tspvanilla extract
• ½ tspcinnamon
• 8 piecesbanana leaf (or foil), cut into 20 cm squares

Instructions

1. 1

   Mix dough

   Combine grated sweet potato, coconut, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix well until it holds together.

2. 2

   Wrap

   Spoon 3 tablespoons of mixture onto the center of each banana leaf. Fold into a tight parcel and tie with kitchen string.

3. 3

   Boil

   Place parcels in a large pot of boiling water and cook for 35–40 minutes until firm.

4. 4

   Serve

   Remove from water, unwrap carefully, and serve warm as a side or snack.

Variations

• •

  Use pumpkin instead of sweet potato.

• •

  Add a pinch of nutmeg for depth.

Storage

Store wrapped in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Re-boil 10 minutes to reheat.

Frequently Asked Questions