Samoa - Traditional cooking

pork

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: beef

Chicken is leaner and more affordable than pork.

coconut cream

🥗Healthier: coconut milk

💰Cheaper: evaporated milk

Coconut milk provides a lighter alternative.

taro

🥗Healthier: sweet potatoes

💰Cheaper: potatoes

Sweet potatoes are more nutritious and widely available.

Prepare the umu by heating volcanic rocks over a fire.

Pile timber and coconut shells around the rocks to create a fire.

Wait for the fire to burn down and heat the rocks thoroughly.

Heat banana leaves over the fire to soften them, separating the hard spine for easier wrapping.

Shred the coconut and mix it with coconut water in a bowl to prepare fresh coconut cream.

Use coconut husk as a sifter to squeeze out the coconut cream from the shredded coconut.

Form the coconut cream into balls and wrap them in banana leaves.

Use breadfruit leaves as an additional layer for wrapping.

Pierce the spine of the breadfruit leaf to tuck it in and secure the wrap.

After an hour, check the hot rocks, which should be glowing red and ready for cooking.

Create space on the hot rocks for the food to be placed.

Cover the food with banana leaves and ensure everything is sealed properly.

Wait for 1 hour for the food to cook in the umu.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary