Two Caribbean Recipes

I found a book on Caribbean cooking at a used book store. It's Dorinda's Taste of the Caribbean: African-Influenced Recipes from the Islands. It's a neat book and there are quite a few veg and vegan friendly recipes. So far I've made Cabbage, Carrot, and Cashew Salad and Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Pudding. Plus, One Can, which you can read about here.

The cabbage salad was delicious--it's really more of a coleslaw, but the cashews add a nice crunch. I used vegan mayo, as I always do. Like a big dummy, I forgot to add the carrots, so I think the salad would be even better with those added.

The sweet potato and pumpkin pudding is delicious and it's more savory than sweet, though I think it would make a nice dessert served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You could make it even sweeter by adding some extra sugar and extra cinnamon.

Cabbage, Carrot, and Cashew Salad
1/2 small fresh cabbage, very finely shredded
4 carrots, peeled and cut into fine strips or shredded
10 ounces unsalted cashews
1 cup low-fat mayo (I use vegan and only about 1/2 the quantity)
1/2 cup nonfat milk (I used soy milk)
salt and pepper

In a large salad bowl, combine the cabbage, carrots, and cashews. In a separate bowl or jar, mix together the mayo and milk until smooth, and pour over the salad. Stir well, season with salt and pepper, cover, and allow to stand in the fridge for about 30 minutes before you serve.

Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Pudding
1 lb. sweet potato, peeled and finely grated to a pulp
1 lb. pumpkin, peeled and very finely grated to a pulp (I used canned pumpkin)
2 teaspoons grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 ounces chopped dried fruits, raisins, or currants (optional)
1 cup coconut milk
7 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter or vegan margarine
Heavy cream, for topping (optional) (I left this off)

Preheat the oven to 400F.

In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potato, pumpkin, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and dried fruits.

In another bowl, combine the coconut milk, sugar, and butter and then pour this mixture into the sweet potato mixture. Stir to mix well. Grease an 8 to 10 inch square baking dish or a loaf tin. Pour the mixture into the dish and bake in the middle shelf of the oven for about 45 minutes to 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until cooked. Pudding should be flat, sticky, and dark.

To serve, remove from the oven and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve with cream for topping if you like.