Pumpkin Rice Porridge with Coconut Milk (Marshallese Style)
In short: Pumpkin and rice cooked until they collapse into a thick golden porridge and finished with coconut milk, a mild everyday dish from the Marshall Islands. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 335 kcal
Pumpkin and rice porridge is an everyday comfort food in the Marshall Islands, where pumpkin, called baanke, grows in house gardens and imported rice is a pantry staple. The pumpkin and rice cook together until they collapse into a thick, golden porridge, which is finished with coconut milk. It is mild and filling, and is served with cooked greens.
Instructions
- Put the pumpkin, water and salt in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, partly covered, for 12 to 15 minutes, until the pumpkin is tender.
- Stir in the rice, cover and simmer on low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the rice is very soft and the pumpkin has broken down. Add a splash of hot water if the pot gets dry.
- Stir in the coconut milk and the sugar, if using. Mash the mixture with a spoon or potato masher until it forms a thick, creamy porridge.
- Serve warm in deep bowls, with cooked greens on the side.
Tips
- Use orange-fleshed pumpkin such as kabocha or butternut, which breaks down into a smooth, naturally sweet porridge. Stir often toward the end to prevent sticking.
- The porridge thickens as it cools. Loosen it with hot water or more coconut milk when reheating.
Questions and answers
What is baanke?
Baanke is the Marshallese word for pumpkin or squash. It is grown in house gardens and cooked with rice, coconut milk and other staples.
What do I serve with it?
A cooked green vegetable such as bok choy or spinach is a good partner, since the porridge is mild and soft.
Can I use canned pumpkin?
Yes. Use 400 g (14 oz) of canned pumpkin puree added with the rice and increase the water by 250 ml (1 cup).
How long does it take to make Pumpkin Rice Porridge with Coconut Milk (Marshallese Style)?
About 55 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pumpkin Rice Porridge with Coconut Milk (Marshallese Style)?
About 335 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 67 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 335 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 67 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 430 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
