Barbados Independence Day

30th November is Barbados' independence day, my grandmother is from Barbados, and my way of marking independence day is making Conkies. Conkies are a bit like a cake that are steamed (normally in a banana leaf) they are made/eaten as part of independence day celebrations. Although as always we have to make them slightly different, so there is no dairy, egg or nuts in the conkies I made.

Conkies (makes 7)

130g pumpkin (butternut squash)

110g sweet potato

130g desiccated coconut

1/4 cup flour 

1 cup fine cornmeal 

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/4 cup of milk (KoKo)

2 tsp of nutmeg

2 tsp of mixed spice

80g raisins (optional)

Grate the pumpkin and sweet potato into a bowl and then mix in the coconut.

Stir in the flour, cornmeal and baking powder. Add in the milk and raisins (if using). Mix together, it should have the consistency of a thick batter.

Get a square of foil roughly 15cm by 8cm (traditionally you would use banana skins), and Add a Dessertspoon and a half of the mixture in the middle of the foil. Wrap up the mixture in the foil and put in a steamer for 25 minutes. Check they are cooked by pushing the package (if they feel firm they are done)

Open up the package and enjoy.