Bwiro
Fermented Breadfruit
Bwiro is a traditional Marshallese dish made from fermented breadfruit, offering a unique sweet and slightly tangy flavor. It's a preserved food, historically important for its long shelf life.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 large Breadfruit(ripe, peeled, cored, and cut into pieces)
- sufficient to soak Water
- 2 cups Coconut milk
- 1/2 cup Sugar(or to taste)
- 1 tsp Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place the cut breadfruit pieces in porous cloth bags. Immerse the bags in saltwater and soak for 2-3 days, working the salty water through the fruit to clean it.
- 2
Remove the breadfruit from the bags and squeeze out excess water. Knead the fruit to further remove moisture.
- 3
Bake the kneaded breadfruit in an underground oven (um) or a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) until it is cooked through and has a tender, slightly firm texture.
- 4
Once baked, the breadfruit can be stored in airtight containers or baskets for later use. For immediate consumption, proceed to the next step.
💡 Tip: Bwiro can be stored for up to 12 months, making it an important emergency food. - 5
In a pot, combine coconut milk, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- 6
Break off small pieces of the baked breadfruit, roll them into balls, and drop them into the boiling coconut milk mixture.
💡 Tip: The coconut milk will thicken as it boils down. - 7
Boil for a few minutes until the coconut milk thickens and coats the breadfruit balls.
- 8
Serve warm, with the thickened coconut milk poured over the breadfruit.
💡 Tip: The thickened coconut milk can be poured over the breadfruit after it has been removed from the pot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the breadfruit is ripe for the best flavor and texture.
- ✓Proper fermentation and squeezing are key to removing excess water and achieving the right consistency.
- ✓Adjust sugar to your preference.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a quicker version, skip the fermentation and baking steps and use fresh breadfruit, boiling it until tender before adding to the sweetened coconut milk.
- Some recipes may add a pinch of spice like nutmeg or cinnamon.