THE mushroom-like sprout in a growing coconut is another of the occasional treats in my life that I am pleased to share with you via today’s recipe:

Ingredients 

* 1/2 lb Renta yam

* 1 ripe plantain

* 1 sprouting coconut

* 1 cup of cherry tomatoes

* 1 onion

* 2 pegs garlic

* 1/2 hot pepper

* 1 sprig thyme

* 2 fingers tumeric or a teaspoon dry tumeric powder

* 1 teaspoon dry herbal seasoning

* 1/2 cup water

Method

* Peel and boil yam

* Place a layer of the pepper, onion, garlic and cherry tomatoes in small dutch pot

* Add thyme

* Slice coconut sprout, plantain and add to dutch pot

* Sprinkle with dry herbal seasoning

* Extract juice from grated coconut and tumeric

* Bring to a boil and simmer for 12 -15 minutes

* Add a little water if the dish begins to dry out

* Serve immediately with yam

Thomas ‘Bongo Tommy’ Huber is a Swiss national who migrated to Westmoreland’s Retrieve District over 10 years ago. He is a naturalist who lives off the land and is deeply involved in an ongoing effort to create Jamaica’s next generation of exotic fruit trees.