For many, sweet potatoes only come with limited recipes. Aside from fries, pies, and occasional side dishes, there seem to be quite a few numbered dishes dedicated to this decadent root crop. Unlike its popular cousin potato, there are dishes left to be explored for the sweet potato.
What Is Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding?
The Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding is a known dessert in the tropical country. Its main ingredient is sweet potatoes, which gives it its starchy yet uniquely delectable flavor. Which make the potato pudding as birthday parties dinners, or family get-togethers. Those who have a sweet tooth will enjoy the natural flavors of this pudding. They will experience
different taste from the typical chocolates and sugary sweets. Here are some interesting facts about sweet potatoes.
What Are Sweet Potatoes Made Of?
In case you’re wondering, sweet potatoes are a variety of tuberous root crops or root crop vegetable. Most of its nutritious components come from the root, but its plant actually belongs to the morning glory family. Sweet potatoes are not to be confused with yams, and it is only distantly related to potatoes.
Sweet potatoes contain simple starches and are filled with complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates take longer for the body to digest, which makes it a good source of this macronutrient without shooting up blood sugar levels. Sweet potatoes also contain dietary fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, and manganese. When cooked, its vitamin C content goes up at 24% per 100 grams of serving.
What Are the Benefits of Sweet Potatoes?
Health enthusiasts marvel at the nutrient-dense root of sweet potatoes. As previously mentioned, the components of this special root crop present many health benefits for those who still want to add a reasonable amount of carbohydrates in their diet.
Sweet potatoes contain antioxidants.
Did you know sweet potatoes have cancer-fighting properties? Many fruits and vegetables, like sweet potatoes, contain high levels of antioxidants. These antioxidants prevent the existence of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are the elements responsible for the oxidative processes inside our bodies which can lead to inflammatory diseases and cancer. Through antioxidants, free radicals are minimized, thereby preventing these conditions.
Sweet potatoes may help with digestion.
It is common knowledge that fiber helps flush out the toxins in our gut while promoting good bacteria health. Thankfully, sweet potatoes contain a large amount of fiber packed with along with its complex carbohydrates. The sweet potato also contains phytosterol which has a positive effect on the digestive system. Though only tested with animals, phytosterol presents promising protective benefits for intestinal health.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes may contribute to Type 2 Diabetes management.
Type 2 Diabetes is a lifestyle-caused condition that impairs the body’s ability to produce insulin, which results in a spike in blood sugar. A lot of medical advice is given to people with diabetes to consume complex carbohydrates to reduce the increased blood sugar levels. Sweet potato is said to help in balancing blood sugar due to its properties, but this benefit warrants more research. As a general guideline, it is advisable for people with diabetes to prefer complex carbohydrates over simple carbohydrates.
Sweet potatoes may contribute to eye health.
Not only are sweet potatoes good for the tummy, they can also be beneficial for your eye health. Sweet potatoes are a rich source of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene which helps improve corneal health and prevent retinal damage. Additionally, the purple sweet potato variety contains an antioxidant called anthocyanins which helps promote good vision.
Now that you discovered the benefits of this all-wonderful root crop, you might be interested to find out more about the origins of the sweet potato pudding along with other Jamaican dishes you may love.
History of Jamaican Cuisine
Jamaican cuisine is a combination of various cooking styles, flavors, local spices, and foreign influences both from the natives of Jamaica as well as Spanish, British, Irish, Indian, African and Chinese people who have stayed in the tropical island. The cuisine is influenced by the different crops that have been harvested and traded from Southeast Asia.
Their cuisine is a fusion of dishes that came from various cultures of people who have been to and for the island. Apart from the ingredients that are locally grown in the country, there are still new varieties of dishes that are introduced of which ingredients are being harvested in native farms. Jamaican cuisine boasts of a wide array of seafood, tropical fruit, unique vegetables, and fresh meat.
Many Jamaican dishes are tropical-inspired variations recipes that were brought from another land. Many of their popular delicacies are modified to help incorporate the local ingredients available on the island. Some of the most popular Jamaican dishes are curry goat, ackee and saltfish, fried dumplings, fried plantains, “jerk,” rice and peas, and steamed cabbage. Some street food stalls sell Jamaican patties along with various unique pastries, and stores would offer the popular fruit beverages and Jamaican rum. Popular sweets include the coconut Toto dessert, sweet potato pudding, and mango cheesecake.
How Was the Cuisine Developed?
The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive at the island of Jamaica. They were the ones to introduce the escovitched fish, which has a Spanish version called escabeche. The Cantonese came in next which contributed their influences to the Jamaican patty, an empanada-type of pastry containing flavored meat inside. African-inspired dishes also gained popularity in the island brought about by the European’s transfer of their slaves on the island. Chinese and Indian influences were often found in seasonings, and this was brought when laborers replaced the slaves after the emancipation period. The many years of British colonialism in Jamaica developed particular cooking habits that are definitive to most former trading colonies.
Jamaican Cuisine and Rastafarians
Jamaican cuisine is very diverse and is also blended with the Rastafarian influence. Rastafarians have a unique philosophy in food preparation, cooking, and eating. They were able to contribute different vegetarian dishes to Jamaican cuisine as well. Rastafarians do not eat pork, and some orthodox ones are full vegans—their diet consist of only plant-based sources. Some Rastafarians would also believe that cooking can be done with little or no salt or other spices.
Jamaican Food All over the World
Though not as common, Jamaican food is available all over the world in countries from North America, United Kingdom, and even Southeast Asia countries. In the United States, there are several restaurants that feature Jamaican cuisine from New York, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and other bigger metropolitan locations. Canada also features Jamaican food outlets located at the Toronto’s busy metropolitan area, as well as Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa. There are also a variety of Jamaican dishes on the menu of Bahama Breeze, which is a restaurant chain owned by US-based Darden group of restaurants.
Another popular franchise featuring Jamaican cuisine is the Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill. They have a total of 120 restaurants throughout the US, selling Jamaican patties, buns, bread, as well as lunch and dinner offerings. This franchise is also suppliers to several companies within New York.
Now that you have learned tidbits of information about the proudly unique history of Jamaican cuisine, here is the recipe of their beloved sweet potato pudding.
Recipe
Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding
Makes 12 cups, or 3 servings
Ingredients
Here are what you need to make the sweet potato pudding:
- 5 lbs sweet potatoes
- 3 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 1 pack of raisins
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 packet of coconut milk powder
- 1/4 cup of margarine, melted
- 1 whole nutmeg, grated
- 5 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
- 1 tablespoon of white rum
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of browning sauce (optional)
Procedure
To make the sweet potato pudding, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. Peel, cut, and grate the potatoes, and place them in a large mixing bowl. With the grated sweet potatoes, add the brown sugar, flour, and raisins. Make sure that all of these ingredients are well-incorporated. In a separate bowl, mix the coconut milk powder with the 5 cups of water, then adding it to the sweet potato mixture. Add the melted margarine, nutmeg, cinnamon powder, salt, vanilla, rum, lime juice, and browning sauce into the mixture. Make sure to blend well.
Place the mixture evenly on a 10-inch baking tin and place the sweet potato mixture in the oven for 1.5 to 1.75 hours. Serve warm of chilled. Five cups of sweet potato can make 12 cups of the pudding along with the ingredients.
Conclusion
Whether you are familiar with Jamaican cuisine or you’re at the fence about experimenting new dishes, the Jamaican sweet potato pudding is a great recipe to start with. It’s sweet, filled with homey flavors, and just the right amount of novel spice which makes it a special delicacy for any occasion.