Jamaican Gizzadas

 

Pastry Ingredients
 4 cups flour
 2 ½ tsp salt
 4 oz butter (frozen)
 2 oz shortening (room temperature)
 1 cup of cold water
 
Filling Ingredients
 2 large dry coconuts

 1 tbsp ginger, grated
 1¾  cups brown sugar
 ½  tsp grated nutmeg
 3 tablespoons  water
 1 tablespoon of butter

 

Steps for dough:

• Sift the flour and salt, then preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Cut the butter and shortening in to small pieces. Slowly add these ingredients to the flour in an electric mixer on low speed.

• While on low speed, slowly add the cold water until the mixture consistency is sandy but good enough to clump together in your hand.

• Using your hands, form this sand-like mixture into a ball (try not to over knead it). Wrap in plastic wrap and press the ball down a bit to ensure there is no air space between the dough and the plastic.

• Store the dough in the freezer.

• Cut out the meat from the coconut and finely grate it.

• Take the dough from the freezer and roll it on a clean surface area to about an 1/8th inch thick and cut about 16 circles from it.

• Form a star-like casing from each of the pastry circles by crimping the edges.

• Using a fork, place holes in the bottom of the casing to prevent the dough from rising.

• Place these casings on a lightly greased tray and bake in the oven for 10 mins.

 

 

Steps for Filling:

• Place the grated coconut, sugar, nutmeg, ginger and water in a saucepan and cook gently for about 15 minutes.

• Add the butter and cook for a further five minutes.

• Add this mixture to the casings and bake for 15-20 mins.

• Let the gizzadas cool, serve and enjoy