Taro In Underground Oven (lu Pulaka)
Taro in Underground Oven (Lu Pulaka) is a traditional Niuean dish that involves cooking taro in an underground oven, resulting in a delicious and tender root vegetable.
Ingredients
- 4 large taro roots, peeled and cleaned
- Banana leaves
- Coconut cream
- Sea salt
- Water
Instructions
- Dig a pit in the ground and line it with rocks.
- Build a fire in the pit and let it burn until the rocks are hot.
- Wrap each taro root in banana leaves and place them on the hot rocks.
- Cover the taro with more banana leaves and then with a layer of wet burlap sacks or a tarp.
- Let the taro cook in the underground oven for 3 hours.
- Remove the taro from the oven and carefully unwrap them.
- Serve the taro with a drizzle of coconut cream and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Cooking & Preparation
- Preparation time:
- 30 minutes
- Cooking time:
- 3 hours
- Total time:
- 3 hours
- Cooking method
- Underground oven (umu)
Nutritional facts per 1 serving
- Calories
- 150 per serving
- Carbohydrates
- 35g
- Fiber
- 5g
- Protein
- 2g
Supplies
Shovel Rocks Firewood Banana leaves Burlap sacks or tarp
Tools
Fire starter Knife
Serving suggestions
Serve the taro with grilled fish and a side of fresh tropical fruit salad.
Tips & tricks
Make sure the taro is fully cooked by testing it with a fork before serving.
Cost
$10