Plantain Gingerbread

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup sugar • 1/2 cup water • 2 cups sliced half-ripe plantain • 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda • 1 teaspoon ground ginger • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 1/3 cup butter or margarine • 1 cup molasses • 2/3 cup boiling water • Whipped cream (optional