There are countless sweets made from shredded or ground coconut, called cocadas. Some are cooked with milk and baked; others are mixed with piloncillo, thickened with eggs, and finished with liqueur or simply cooked in their own juice. How to choose one recipe? This was no easy task, but I chose this particular one from a small village in Yucatan, where I found a stand that sold more than twenty different kinds. The fresh lime zest brightens the slightly burnt flavor of the caramel that enrobes the tasty coconut morsels. This could even be used as a sort of jam if cooked a little less. For a little more information on coconut, see page 9.
Recipe information
Yield
makes about 1 dozen
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Combine the sugar and water in a small heavy pot. Place the pot over medium heat and cover; when you hear the mixture boiling, remove the lid (the steam helps to prevent the sugar from crystallizing). Continue cooking without stirring, until it begins to turn golden. At this point, you can swirl the caramel around so that it caramelizes evenly, and then continue cooking until it is a dark caramel color.
Step 2
Remove from the heat and add the coconut water, whisking or stirring carefully because it will sizzle and steam, and then return to the heat. Once the caramel is smooth again, add the shaved coconut and salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring, until it starts to thicken and you can see the bottom of the pot when scraped with a spoon, about 40 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the lime zest.
Step 3
Let sit until cool enough to handle, moisten your hand with a little bit of water, then shape into little pyramids. These will be a bit sticky, so put a piece of parchment paper underneath them. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry area for up to 1 month.
