Dominica Coconut Dumplings
These delightful dumplings are a staple in Dominican cuisine, offering a slightly sweet and chewy texture with the tropical flavor of fresh coconut. They can be served as a side dish, added to stews, or enjoyed on their own.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Freshly grated coconut
- 1 cup Water(plus more as needed)
- 4 tbsp Butter(room temperature)
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- generous amount Water for boiling(for the pot)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt. Stir to evenly distribute.
💡 Tip: Ensure all dry ingredients are well combined before adding wet ingredients. - 2
Add the butter to the flour mixture and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
💡 Tip: Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting too much. - 3
Stir in the freshly grated coconut.
💡 Tip: Freshly grated coconut provides the best flavor and texture. - 4
Gradually add water, mixing until a firm dough forms. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.
💡 Tip: Add water a little at a time to avoid making the dough too wet. - 5
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 1-2 minutes until smooth.
- 6
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
💡 Tip: The water should be well-salted to ensure the dumplings are flavorful. - 7
Pinch off pieces of dough, roll them into balls about 1.5 inches in diameter, and flatten them slightly.
💡 Tip: Uniform size ensures even cooking. - 8
Carefully drop the dumplings into the boiling water. Do not overcrowd the pot; cook in batches if necessary.
💡 Tip: Ensure the water is rapidly boiling before adding the dumplings. - 9
Boil the dumplings for about 10-15 minutes, or until they float to the surface and are cooked through.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 10
Remove the dumplings with a slotted spoon and drain.
💡 Tip: Serve immediately.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use coconut milk instead of water when making the dough.
- ✓These dumplings can be added to stews and soups during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
- ✓If fresh coconut is unavailable, unsweetened shredded coconut can be used, but adjust moisture as needed.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm spice note.
- For fried coconut dumplings, shape the dough and fry in hot oil until golden brown.