Tamarind Balls Recipe – Anguilla’s Sweet & Tangy Island Treat

Last Updated on 11th September 2025

Tamarind is the star ingredient of one of Anguilla’s most beloved sweets – Tamarind Balls. Sweet, tangy, and rolled in sugar, this Caribbean treat is made with just three ingredients and no cooking.

Anguilla is a foodie’s Caribbean paradise. Surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters, Anguillian cuisine consists of fresh fish, peas and rice, curried goat or oxtail, and chicken.

The original recipe is from an archived version of Anguilla Official Island Guide (2020) and can be found here. It was the only Anguillian Tamarind Ball recipe I could find so I wanted to preserve it just in case it disappears.

Yield: 20-30 balls

Tamarind Balls

Prep Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

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Ingredients

• 450g shelled tamarind
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated white sugar for dusting and rolling
• 1 tbsp salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine tamarind and 1/2 cup of brown sugar together in a bowl
2. Knead in the ingredients while separating the seeds
3. If it is too dry sprinkle a little water to moisten
4. Add more sugar depending on how sour the tamarind may be. Let the taste be your guide
5. If necessary, add salt to adjust taste
6. Take some brown sugar in your hand to form small round balls. The sugar should help in rolling the tamarind, but you don't want to use much
7. Take up enough tamarind and roll between your hands to make a ball about 2 inches in diameter
8. In a separate place pour some white sugar, then roll the tamarind balls in it
9. Store in a cool area or the fridge

Notes

If taramind isn't common in your country, you may be able to find fresh tamarind in an Asian store. I was able to find fresh taramind in London's China Town.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

30

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 58Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 235mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 0g

Happy baking!

L x👣