HOW TO PREPARE BAMMY.

Bammy is a traditional Jamaican flatbread made from cassava. Preparing bammy involves a few steps, from processing the cassava to cooking the flatbreads. Here’s a basic guide on how to prepare it:

Ingredients:
1-2 pounds of cassava (also known as yuca)
Salt, to taste
Water
Directions:
Preparing the Cassava:
Peel and Grate the Cassava:

Peel the cassava, making sure to remove all the outer brown skin and inner pink layer.
Grate the cassava using a fine grater.
Extract Cassava Juice:

Place the grated cassava in a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel.
Squeeze out as much juice as possible from the cassava. Be cautious as the juice (which contains cyanogenic glucosides) is toxic and should not be consumed.
Drying the Cassava:

Spread out the grated and squeezed cassava on a tray and allow it to air-dry for a few hours, or you may use an oven at a low temperature to expedite the drying process.
Forming and Cooking the Bammy:
Form the Bammy:

Once the cassava is dry, gather it and form small flat rounds, typically about 4 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick.
If desired, you can add a bit of salt to the cassava mixture before forming the bammies.
Cooking the Bammy:

Preheat a griddle or a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
Place the formed bammy on the griddle or pan and cook for approximately 5-7 minutes on each side, until it becomes slightly crisp and golden brown.
Soaking the Bammy (Optional, traditional when served with fish):

In a separate dish, dissolve some salt in water.
After the bammy is cooked, soak it in the salted water for about 10-15 minutes.
Remove the bammy from the water and pat it dry.
Reheat in the pan for another 2-3 minutes on each side.
Serving:

Serve warm. Bammies can be enjoyed with a variety of dishes such as fried fish, stews, or with a drizzle of coconut milk.
Note that it’s essential to handle cassava with care due to its natural toxic components when raw. Always ensure that it is well-cooked or processed accurately to prevent any adverse effects. If you’re trying bammy for the first time, pairing it with traditional Jamaican dishes like escovitch fish would provide you with an authentic experience. Enjoy your cooking!