🇱🇨 Saint Lucian Cuisine

Ducana

Sweet Potato Dumpling

Prep Time 1 hour

Servings 6

Difficulty Medium

Calories 260 kcal

A sweet, spiced dumpling made from grated sweet potato and coconut, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. A traditional accompaniment to saltfish.

Ingredients

500g sweet potato, peeled and grated
100g grated coconut
100g brown sugar
100g flour or cornmeal
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Banana leaves for wrapping
Pinch of salt

Instructions

1 Mix grated sweet potato, coconut, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt.
2 Soften banana leaves over an open flame or in hot water.
3 Place a generous spoonful of mixture on each banana leaf.
4 Fold the leaves into neat parcels and tie with string.
5 Steam parcels for 45 minutes until firm.
6 Unwrap and serve warm.

Did You Know?

The art of wrapping ducana in banana leaves is passed from grandmothers to grandchildren. A neatly wrapped ducana that does not leak is a source of family pride.