Barbadian Conkies
Sweet corn, coconut, pumpkin and sweet potato parcels wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
These conkies combine corn, coconut, pumpkin, sweet potato and spices in a sweet mixture steamed inside banana leaves. The yield of 10 servings and 30 minutes of preparation are practical estimates; steaming takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Method
- 01
Prepare the leaves
Clean the banana leaves, trim away the hard veins, and briefly pass them over a flame or soften them with steam. Cut them into pieces large enough to wrap the mixture.
- 02
Mix the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, grated coconut, pumpkin, sweet potato, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and mixed spice.
- 03
Finish the batter
Add the melted butter, coconut milk and almond essence. Mix until the batter is moist and firm.
- 04
Wrap and steam
Place portions of the mixture on the prepared leaves and fold them into sealed parcels. Arrange them in a steamer or on a rack in a pot with water below the rack. Cover and steam for 60 to 90 minutes; check the water level and add more if needed.
90 min - 05
Cool and serve
Remove the parcels from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes before unwrapping and serving.
Ingredients
Sources and review
Content researched, cross-checked and automatically validated. Sources consulted:
- Higiene de los alimentos www.aesan.gob.es/seguridad-alimentaria/higiene-alimentos
- Barbados’ National Dish: A Symbol of Bajan Identity | Remitly www.remitly.com/blog/en-au/food/national-dish-of-barbados/
- Barbados Recipes Guide - Totally Barbados www.totallybarbados.com/articles/barbados-recipes/
- International Cooking: Food from Barbados - The Flavor Vortex www.theflavorvortex.com/international-cooking-food-from-barbados/
- Barbados Food: 16 Incredible Dishes to Try | Celebrity Cruises www.celebritycruises.com/blog/barbados-food
- Barbados Recipes barbados.org/barbados-recipes.htm
- A true taste of Barbados | Caribbean foodie inspiration www.tropicalsky.ie/caribbean-holidays/barbados/a-true-taste-of-barbados
- Bajan Food Favourites: 6 Traditional Caribbean Recipes apeshill.com/sustainability/stories/bajan-recipes-and-cuisine/
- What’s Cooking? Mobilizing Women’s Life Narratives in Diasporic Cookbooks | OpenAlex openalex.org/W4409273820
- 10 Traditional Barbados Recipes | Caribbean Apples — Recipes, Island Guides & Culture caribbeanapples.com/pages/salt-sea-soul-10-recipes-for-barbados-on-a-plate
- What is Local Food in Barbados? | Cocktail Kitchen www.ckbarbados.com/blog/what-is-local-food-in-barbados
- 5 recetas muy ricas de barbados compartidas por cocineros caseros- Cookpad cookpad.com/es/buscar/barbados
State: Published after documentary validation; no “Tested” label is shown.