Vakalolo is a Fijian dessert that is steamed cooked and is very popular among people in Fiji.
In villages, this dish is normally prepared during a wedding, birthdays or funerals. Not often do we see men in the village prepare this dish because it’s time consuming.
Fijians use grated root crop with grated coconut to make this dessert. This is very tasty and yummy and is also very unique.
Grating cassava normally involves all the family members because it’s fun and easier. Coconut is used in most rich traditional Fijian dishes. Try this recipe and don’t forget to visit the Suva market where you can get a container for $5, or $3. Josese Nabau of Nausori comes to the market every Saturday to sell vakalolo.
“This dish may take a lot of time to prepare, but at the market, it sells really fast too,” he said.
Mr Nabau said he would come to the market at 10am with 30 containers and by 2pm all containers were sold.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup grated cassava
1/4 cup grated coconut
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 tablespoon sugar to taste
Banana leaves for wraping
Method
nMix all the ingredients in a bowl.Take a palm full of the mixture and place on parchment paper and wrap it.
nSteam cook for 40 minutes.
While it’s steaming, gently heat the coconut milk andand bring to a gentle simmer.
Unwrap the vakalolo, place in a bowl and pour some of the coconut milk over the top.
nServe and enjoy
