Talautu (Pineapple and Coconut Dessert)
Talautu is a refreshing and naturally sweet dessert from Papua New Guinea, combining the tropical flavors of fresh pineapple and coconut with a hint of lemon. It's a simple yet delightful treat, often served in coconut shells.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 medium Fresh pineapple(peeled, cored, and diced)
- 1 large Fresh coconut(flesh grated or finely chopped)
- 150 ml Coconut milk(from the fresh coconut or canned)
- 0.5 medium Lemon(juice of)
- 2 tbsp Sugar(optional, to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the fresh coconut: If using a whole coconut, drain the water, then break it open. Scrape out the fresh coconut flesh and grate or finely chop it.
- 2
Peel, core, and dice the fresh pineapple into bite-sized pieces.
- 3
In a mixing bowl, combine the grated coconut and diced pineapple.
- 4
Add the coconut milk to the bowl. Stir to combine.
- 5
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the mixture. Add sugar, if using, and stir well.
- 6
Toss all ingredients gently to ensure they are well coated.
- 7
Serve immediately, chilled. Traditionally, it can be served in hollowed-out coconut shells.
💡 Tip: For an extra touch, garnish with a mint sprig or a small piece of pineapple.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use very fresh, ripe pineapple for the best natural sweetness.
- ✓If you can't find fresh coconuts, use good quality canned full-fat coconut milk and unsweetened shredded coconut.
- ✓Adjust the amount of lemon juice and sugar to your personal preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add other tropical fruits like mango or papaya.
- A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth.
- For a richer dessert, use more coconut cream.