tuvalu Recipes
20 delicious tuvalu recipes from around the world
Banana and Coconut Stew
A simple yet comforting stew that highlights the tropical flavors of banana and coconut. This dish is often served as a main course or a side, showcasing the natural sweetness of the ingredients.
Coconut Breadfruit Fritters
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these fritters are a delightful way to enjoy breadfruit, a staple in Tuvalu. The addition of coconut adds a subtle sweetness and texture, making them a perfect snack or side dish.
Fa'alifu Fai
A simple yet flavorful dish of green bananas simmered in creamy coconut milk, seasoned with salt and optional aromatics, serving as a staple side dish.
Fafaru
Fafaru is a unique and pungent Tuvaluan dish made from raw fish marinated in a fermented brine of seawater and shrimp. Despite its strong aroma, it has a delicate, slightly sweetish taste and is a testament to the resourceful use of local ingredients.
Feke Pulaka mo Lolo
A traditional Tuvaluan dessert made from grated pulaka (swamp taro) mixed with coconut cream and steamed, often served as a sweet treat or snack.
Ika Mata Lole
A refreshing and vibrant raw fish salad, 'Ika Mata Lole' features fresh, diced raw fish marinated in lime juice, mixed with finely chopped vegetables and a creamy coconut dressing. It's a light and flavorful dish, often served as an appetizer or a light meal.
Ika Vakalolo mo Talise (Fish in Rich Coconut Sauce with Pandan)
A delicate white fish cooked in a rich, aromatic coconut sauce infused with pandan leaves, offering a subtly sweet and fragrant flavor profile.
Ikokore
Ikokore is a traditional Tuvaluan dish that combines the staple root vegetable, taro, with fresh fish, all steamed together in banana leaves. This method of cooking in leaves is common in Pacific Island cuisines and imparts a subtle, pleasant aroma to the food. It's a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights the reliance on local produce and seafood.
Palusami
Palusami is a traditional Tuvaluan dish made from taro leaves, coconut milk, and often seasoned with onions and garlic. It's a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish, typically baked or steamed until the leaves are tender and have absorbed the coconut milk's essence. It's a beloved dish for special occasions and family gatherings.
Pua'a Sio'ata
Pua'a Sio'ata is a traditional Tuvaluan dish featuring slow-cooked pork, often prepared for special occasions. It involves marinating pork in a flavorful mixture and then slow-cooking it until tender. This dish highlights the importance of pork in Tuvaluan celebrations and the use of local ingredients for flavor.
Pulaka Pipi (Taro and Clam Stew)
A hearty and flavorful stew combining the starchy goodness of pulaka (swamp taro) with the briny taste of fresh clams, simmered in coconut milk.
Pulaka Pulu Masi
A sweet and savory baked dish featuring fermented taro (pulaka) mixed with coconut cream and a touch of sugar, baked until tender and slightly caramelized. It's a comforting dessert or side dish.
Pulaka Soup
A hearty and comforting soup made with pulaka (swamp taro), coconut milk, and aromatic spices, offering a taste of traditional Tuvaluan sustenance.
Sago Pudding
A sweet and comforting dessert made from sago pearls cooked in coconut milk and sweetened. It's a popular treat across many Pacific Islands, including Tuvalu, often served chilled and sometimes flavored with local ingredients.
Talo Tokotokoi (Baked Taro with Coconut Cream)
A simple yet delicious Tuvaluan dish featuring baked taro mashed and generously coated with sweetened coconut cream. It's a comforting and popular dish often served at community gatherings.
Tavala Moa mo Fala
A comforting and flavorful dish of chicken cooked with young pandanus (fala) shoots and coconut cream, offering a unique blend of savory and slightly sweet notes characteristic of Tuvaluan cuisine.
Tuvalu Coconut Tuna Curry
A flavorful curry featuring locally caught tuna simmered in creamy coconut milk with aromatic spices, onions, garlic, and ginger. This dish reflects Tuvalu's rich seafood heritage and incorporates influences from Asian and Indian cuisines.
Tuvalu Grilled Fish with Lime and Chili
A simple yet flavorful dish featuring fresh fish grilled to perfection and seasoned with tangy lime and a hint of chili, showcasing the fresh flavors of Tuvaluan cuisine.
Tuvalu Octopus Curry
A flavorful and tender octopus curry simmered in coconut milk with aromatic spices, a staple in Tuvaluan coastal cuisine.
Tuvalu Taro Leaf Rolls with Coconut
Tender taro leaves are blanched and then filled with a savory mixture, often including fish or minced meat, and steamed in coconut cream, creating a flavorful and comforting dish.