Gizzadas are popular in Jamaican cuisine and are often enjoyed as a dessert or snack. They are a delightful combination of textures and flavors, with the crispiness of the pastry complementing the sweet and spiced coconut filling. Gizzadas are commonly made at home or purchased from local bakeries and are a beloved treat in Jamaican culture.
Coconut Gizzada
Course: DessertCuisine: JamaicanDifficulty: Medium4
servings30
minutes40
minutes1
hour10
minutesGizzada, also known as pinch-mi-side, is a delicious Jamaican pastry filled with a sweet coconut filling
Ingredients
- For the Pastry
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 tbsp cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup ice water
- For the Coconut Filling
2 cups grated or blended ( in 1 cup of water) coconut
1-2 cups brown sugar
1 tbsp fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated, if possible)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup water
Directions
- For the Pastry
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, a little at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
- Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- For the Coconut Filling
- In a saucepan, combine the grated coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and water.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and the sugar dissolves. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Assembling and Baking
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the chilled pastry on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.
- Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles from the rolled-out dough.
- Place a spoonful of the coconut filling in the center of each pastry circle.
- Fold the pastry over to form a half-moon shape, and use a fork to crimp the edges and seal the gizzadas.
- Place the filled gizzadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Allow the gizzadas to cool on a wire rack before serving.
- Enjoy your homemade Jamaican gizzadas! They are perfect as a sweet treat or snack.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Watch the full video on YouTube for further instructions and tips!