Solomon Pudding (Cassava and Sweet Potato Baked in Coconut Cream)
In short: Grated cassava and sweet potato mixed with coconut cream and nuts, wrapped in leaves and baked until set, a festive Solomon Islands pudding. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 45 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 330 kcal
Pudding is the best-known festive food of the Solomon Islands. Grated root crops are mixed with coconut cream and nuts, wrapped in leaves and baked under hot stones until the mixture sets into a dense, slightly sweet loaf with a caramelized crust. It is eaten warm with fish or chicken, or on its own. This version bakes it in a dish in an ordinary oven.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 20 cm (8 in) square baking dish with banana leaves or a double layer of foil, letting the edges overhang.
- Mix the cassava, sweet potato, coconut cream, nuts, salt and sugar into a thick, wet paste. Do not drain off any liquid.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the dish and fold the leaves or foil over the top. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
- Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 to 30 minutes more, until the top is deep brown and a skewer in the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 20 minutes so the pudding firms up, then cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Grate the roots as finely as you can and keep their starchy juices in the bowl. The juices bind the pudding so it sets smooth and sliceable.
- The pudding keeps in the fridge for 4 days. Slice it and crisp the pieces in a dry pan, or reheat in a 160°C (325°F) oven for 15 minutes.
Questions and answers
What is Solomon Islands pudding?
It is a baked pudding of grated root crops, usually cassava and sweet potato, mixed with coconut cream and wrapped in leaves. In villages it is baked under hot stones.
What are ngali nuts?
Ngali nuts come from the Canarium tree and are a favorite in the Solomon Islands. Macadamias or almonds are the nearest widely available substitutes.
Is the pudding sweet?
Only lightly. The sweet potato and coconut give it mild sweetness, and it is often eaten alongside savory fish or meat.
How long does it take to make Solomon Pudding (Cassava and Sweet Potato Baked in Coconut Cream)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Solomon Pudding (Cassava and Sweet Potato Baked in Coconut Cream)?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 280 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
