Another cornmeal recipe we make here in Trinidad and Tobago is “Paime” (pronounced pay-me), a sweet, wholesome and simple recipe, popular during the Christmas season. The process in making paime is similar to pastelle just you don’t add any filling since the dough has coconut, raisins and pumpkin making it rich in fibre.
Trinidad Paime: A Rich Treat
After a bit of research I believe that this dish may have an Amerindian origin. And seeing that we have a Carib community still on the island there could be some truth to this. Maybe someone can confirm it for me. The other bit of information I gleaned from the internet is that this paime recipe is very similar to conkies made in Barbados and other Caribbean islands. The recipe ingredients are the same although some recipes add sweet potato. Adding the sweet potato is definitely worth a try next time we make paime at home.
Trinidad Paime Recipe
Paime and Sorrel drink
PAIME
Ingredients:
2 cups cornmeal
½ cup flour
2 tbsp sugar
¼ cup shortening or butter
2 cups grated coconut
1 cup grated pumpkin
¼ cup raisins
1 cup water
Wrapping:
Banana leaves
Cotton strings to tie
Yield: approximately 24 paimes
Mix together all the ingredients and blend well.To prepare banana leaves:
Wipe leaves with a clean cloth dipped in a weak solution of bleach and water. Quickly pass the leaves over a medium to low flame. Allow the leaf to get slightly dark, not to burn. Cut the leaves into squares (about 15-20 cm) and set aside.
Grease a square leaf and place 2 tbsp of the mixture in the center.
Fold over leaves and tie securely. Boil in hot water for about 1/2 an hour.
Cool, remove from wrapping, and serve.
More recipes to come. Ah gone!
ah. I love paime. All things cornmeal
Well Chennette we could lime. Happy Holidays
I was told that this is conkie but looking at how your mixture is it is not the same exact thing as in Barbados out mixture is very runny when we fill up the banana leaf.Anyways yours looks just like conkie with the glossy finish.I am going to make some sorrel. I still have a mauby post to do but mum gave me some dried sorrel so I will make some and sip it tonight
Ah gone!
lol
Hi, I really appreciate your site, I am a Trini living in Canada over 21yrs,I forgot how to make most of these recipes since I hardly cook trini foods….your recipes are a great refresher for me,can you please post a recipe for paynuse sooon!!!
Thanks
OK I’ll see what I can do