Fish and Pumpkin in Coconut Milk with Pandan (Kiribati Style)
In short: Chunks of tuna and pumpkin simmered in fragrant coconut milk with a knotted pandan leaf, the everyday Kiribati meal of fish cooked in coconut. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 390 kcal
On the low coral atolls of Kiribati, where soil is poor, the coconut palm and the sea supply most meals. A typical dinner is fish or lobster cooked in coconut milk, often with pumpkin and a pandan leaf for fragrance. This version simmers tuna and pumpkin gently until the sauce turns golden and the fish flakes. A teaspoon of mild curry powder, common in home kitchens, deepens the color.
Instructions
- Put the coconut milk, water, onion, garlic, curry powder, salt and pandan leaf in a wide pot and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the pumpkin and simmer, partly covered, for 12 minutes, until almost tender.
- Nestle the fish into the sauce. Simmer gently for 6 to 8 minutes, until the fish is opaque, flakes easily and reaches 63°C (145°F). Avoid stirring roughly, or the fish will break up.
- Remove the pandan leaf and taste for salt. Serve hot with steamed rice, boiled breadfruit or taro, and lime and chili on the side.
Tips
- Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer once the fish goes in. Fierce boiling splits the coconut milk and toughens the fish.
- No pandan leaf? Leave it out. The dish is still good with a squeeze of lime. Lobster tails, reef fish or large shrimp can replace the tuna.
Questions and answers
Why is pandan used in Kiribati cooking?
Pandan leaf adds a sweet, grassy fragrance to coconut dishes. The pandanus tree is common on the atolls, and its leaves and fruit are used in many ways.
What fish works best?
Tuna is the classic choice, and any firm fish such as snapper, mahi-mahi or grouper also works. Cut thick, even chunks so they cook through gently.
What do I serve with it?
Steamed rice is the easiest partner. Boiled taro, breadfruit or sweet potato are good traditional-style options.
How long does it take to make Fish and Pumpkin in Coconut Milk with Pandan (Kiribati Style)?
About 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fish and Pumpkin in Coconut Milk with Pandan (Kiribati Style)?
About 390 kcal per serving, with 39 g of protein, 19 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 39 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 560 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
