Sago Pancakes (Papua New Guinea Saksak with Coconut)
In short: Chewy sago pancakes pressed onto a hot dry pan with grated coconut, a staple of Papua New Guinea eaten with smoked fish and cooked greens. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 280 kcal
Saksak is the Tok Pisin word for sago, the starch of the sago palm, and for the foods made from it. In river and lowland communities it is cooked as a gel, steamed in leaves or pressed onto a hot pan as thin pancakes, often with grated coconut. The pancakes are chewy with toasted edges, and they are eaten with smoked fish and cooked greens. Tapioca starch is the easiest substitute outside the Pacific.
Instructions
- Mix the starch, coconut and salt in a bowl. Sprinkle over the warm water a tablespoon at a time, rubbing it in with your fingertips until the mixture forms damp crumbs that clump when squeezed but do not form a ball.
- Heat a 24 cm (9.5 in) nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron pan over medium heat for 2 minutes. Do not add oil.
- Scatter a quarter of the crumbs across the pan in an even layer about 5 mm (1/4 in) thick, filling any gaps. Press lightly with the back of a spatula and cover for 1 minute.
- Uncover and cook for 2 minutes more, until the underside is set, turning translucent and speckled with gold.
- Slide a thin spatula underneath and flip the pancake in one piece. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then move it to a plate. Repeat with the remaining crumbs for 4 pancakes.
- Serve warm, folded or torn, with smoked or grilled fish and cooked greens.
Tips
- Aim for crumbs that are only just damp. If the pancake breaks apart, add a teaspoon of water to the mix. If it turns gluey in the pan, add a spoonful of starch.
- A plate held over the pan makes flipping easier. Leftover pancakes reheat well in a dry pan for 1 minute per side.
Questions and answers
What is sago starch?
Sago starch is the white starch washed from the pith of the sago palm. It is sold as sago flour or sago starch in Asian and Pacific grocery shops.
Can I use tapioca starch instead?
Yes. Tapioca starch, also called cassava starch, behaves very similarly and is easy to find. The pancakes may be a little softer and more elastic.
What do I serve with sago pancakes?
Serve them as a starchy side with grilled or smoked fish and cooked greens in coconut cream. Sliced ripe banana also goes well.
How long does it take to make Sago Pancakes (Papua New Guinea Saksak with Coconut)?
About 30 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sago Pancakes (Papua New Guinea Saksak with Coconut)?
About 280 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 47 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 280 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 47 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
