Antiguan and Barbudan

Style

Ducana and Saltfish

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Taste Like Home!

Ducana and Saltfish can be eaten at any time of year but is mostly eaten together on Good Friday. Antiguans and Barbudans practise not eating anything containing blood (meat) on this day in honor of Jesus shedding his blood and dying for us on the cross. It's a savory dish, but also salty because of the saltfish and is usually paired with chop-up. Chop-up is a mix of greens such as spinach, okra, eggplant etc.

Growing up, Seagrape leaves were growing in my yard and that's what my mother uses to prepare the sweet potato mixture in before boiling them in water. However, other than seagrape leaves, banana leaves or foil can also be used as a substitute. (I perfer the leaves over foil for added taste but I'll eat them regardless because its still delicious.)

Saltfish is eaten often because of availabilty and as a meat substitute. It can be sauteed in tomato sauce and onios after being boiled and/or turned into a fritter or a ball with flour and seasonings.

    Ducana

    Ingredients:
  • 2 cups grated coconut*
  • 2 cups grated sweet potatoes (Boniato variety)
  • 2 cups of sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp grated nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp of vanilla extract
  • 1 cup of raisins (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups of flour
    Directions:
  • Grate coconut and sweet potatoes in a blender. You will need some liquid to help the grating process, either use the coconut water, milk or just water, but no more than 1 1/2 cup of liquid.
  • Mix all the ingredients in a bowl in the order they appear in the ingredients.
  • Cut 10×12 pieces of foil paper to wrap the ducana.
  • Use a ladle or large spoon to scoop the batter into the center of the foil then fold the foil 2/3 of the way, covering the mixture.
  • Fold the batter and foil once more (or twice depending on the size of batter you scooped out) making sure to keep the ends pinned so the batter doesn’t ooze out either side. The foil and batter should look like a flattened cylinder.
  • Fold in/ roll up each end of the foil to seal in the batter.
  • Place ducana in boiling water and cook for 30 minutes.
  • Remove them from the water and let them cool for 10 minutes before opening them.

    Salt Fish

    Ingredients:
  • 1 pack of salted cod fish about a pound
  • 1 Medium sized onion
  • ½ of a green, red and yellow pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 8oz can tomato sauce
  • ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 packs of Sazón seasoning
    Directions:
  • Soak the fish in water for about 4 hours or overnight.
  • Boil fish in water for 45 minutes.
  • Drain off hot water and pour cold water on fish to cool them down, making sure they get to a comfortable enough temperature to handle.
  • Take out as many bones as possible. Break into bit size pieces and set aside.
  • Cut onion into rings
  • Cut peppers into strips length wise
  • Slice garlic thin.
  • Pour oil in frying pan and add the onion, peppers and garlic.
  • Stirring until vegetables are translucent.
  • Add tomato sauce, fish, vinegar, and butter to the pan then a sprinkle of black pepper.

You’re done. Serve with fresh steamed spinach seasoned with salt to taste. (Do Not Boil Fresh Spinach) You can use eggplant mix with the spinach and/or long squash.
In Antigua it’s called chop up. As the photo shows, I have pieces of pumpkins. You can also put it beside some boiled okras.


TIPS: * You can also use grated pumpkins along with the sweet potatoes and coconut; it gives your ducana a smooth texture also a different color, a yellowish grey.
Happy Easter!
Recipe: courtesy of: Cordy’s Corner

Fish and Ducana From My Antigua Kitchen

One of the most traditional and popular meals in Antigua is saltfish and ducana. This dish is the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

    Comments
  • My mother Inlaw taught me how to make this, I forgot but you quickly refreshed my memory. Exactly how she makes hers. Thank you!- @thethree-storygamers6689
  • Thanks for not making it overly complicated. Very easy method- @shenikwab
  • I followed your recipe and it came out delicious..thanks for sharing @nadiradindial6455

By Foodie Engineer

How to make Antiguan Ducana

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    Comments
  • Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Your instructions are simple and easy to follow @gailenejeffers18
  • Thank you for the video, girl! I loved learning about your culture and food. Great intro as well. Thumbs up. @lillybotswayer882
  • Awesome video.It looks delicious yankee lol🤤. 🇦🇬✨✨✨ @dezisam4545

By Plenty of Chocolate

Cooking Antigua & Barbuda: Saltfish & Ducana

These unique & tasty AF Caribbean flavours from Antigua & Barbuda had my mouth watering. Salt Fish & Ducana will transport you to the beach without the travel. This is Anti-Chef Cooks the World. A series where I cook foods from every single country in the world...all 19

    Comments
  • My mother Inlaw taught me how to make this, I forgot but you quickly refreshed my memory. Exactly how she makes hers. Thank you!- @thethree-storygamers6689
  • Thanks for not making it overly complicated. Very easy method- @shenikwab
  • I followed your recipe and it came out delicious..thanks for sharing @nadiradindial6455

By ANTI-CHEF