Güanimes

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Clean the banana leaves and heat them slightly over a flame or in a skillet to make them pliable. Cut them into approximately 8x8-inch squares.
2. Heat water and coconut milk in a pan until simmering. Add brown sugar and salt, stir to dissolve.
3. Add cornmeal and stir until the mixture forms a soft, cohesive dough. Adjust with a bit more cornmeal or water if needed.
4. Take a portion of the dough and shape it into a log, about 4 inches long in the center of the banana leaf square.
5. Fold the banana leaf around the dough, making a sausage shape, and tie each end closed with string.
6. Place the güanimes in the boiling water and cook for 45 minutes to an hour, until they are firm.
7. Remove the güanimes from the pot, allow them to cool slightly, then unwrap and serve warm.