Lihli (Pohnpei Pounded Breadfruit with Coconut Milk)
In short: Breadfruit roasted until charred, peeled and pounded hot into a smooth stretchy paste and topped with coconut milk, a Pohnpei staple. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 210 kcal
Lihli is a breadfruit dish from Pohnpei, one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia. The fruit is roasted until its skin blackens, peeled and pounded hot into a smooth, stretchy paste, then topped with coconut milk. The flavor is mild, smoky and slightly sweet, and the paste is very filling. It is served on a banana leaf. Firm green plantains make a decent stand-in if you cannot find breadfruit.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Rub a little oil on your hands and knife, because breadfruit sap is sticky. Cut the breadfruit into quarters and cut out the core from each piece.
- Place the quarters on a baking tray, skin side up, and roast for 60 to 75 minutes, until the skin is blackened in places and a knife slides into the flesh with no resistance.
- While the breadfruit is still hot, peel off the skin with a knife. Cut the flesh into chunks.
- Pound the hot breadfruit with the salt in a large bowl, using a wooden pestle, a heavy masher or a stand mixer with the paddle, until it turns into a smooth, stretchy paste.
- Shape the paste into mounds on a banana leaf or plates and spoon the warm coconut milk over the top. Serve at once.
Tips
- Pound the breadfruit while it is still hot. As it cools it turns stiff and is hard to smooth out. Keep your hands oiled so the paste does not stick.
- Choose breadfruit that is mature but firm and starchy, not soft and ripe. Boiling the quarters in salted water for 40 to 50 minutes also works if you prefer.
Questions and answers
What is lihli?
Lihli is a Pohnpei breadfruit dish. The fruit is roasted, peeled and pounded hot into a smooth paste, then topped with coconut milk.
Where can I find breadfruit?
Look in Caribbean, Pacific, Asian and Latin grocery stores, where it is sold fresh, frozen or canned. Green plantains or firm potatoes can stand in.
How do I serve lihli?
Serve it as a starchy staple beside grilled fish, chicken or cooked greens. Pour the coconut milk over just before eating.
How long does it take to make Lihli (Pohnpei Pounded Breadfruit with Coconut Milk)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lihli (Pohnpei Pounded Breadfruit with Coconut Milk)?
About 210 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 37 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 200 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
