Introduction: Pumpkin grows readily in Cook Islands gardens and is often paired with coconut cream, a combination that appears across the soups and puddings of the islands. Cultural Background: Pumpkin grows readily in Cook Islands gardens and is often paired with coconut cream, a combination that appears across the soups and puddings of the islands. […]
Introduction: A tangy, spiced vegetable relish influenced by Indian Ocean trade routes, achards brighten up a Comorian table with vinegar, mustard seed and chilli. Cultural Background: A tangy, spiced vegetable relish influenced by Indian Ocean trade routes, achards brighten up a Comorian table with vinegar, mustard seed and chilli. It's served as a starter or […]
Introduction: Young cassava leaves are pounded and slow-cooked in coconut milk with fish or octopus in this hearty Comorian lunch dish. Cultural Background: Young cassava leaves are pounded and slow-cooked in coconut milk with fish or octopus in this hearty Comorian lunch dish. Mataba shows the islands' deep reliance on both cassava, a staple crop, […]
Introduction: A gently spiced lentil soup enriched with coconut milk, this dish shows the coconut-heavy leanings of Comorian cooking even in its simplest, most everyday meals. Cultural Background: A gently spiced lentil soup enriched with coconut milk, this dish shows the coconut-heavy leanings of Comorian cooking even in its simplest, most everyday meals. It's warming, […]
Introduction: Whole fish marinated in a tangy tamarind and chilli paste, then grilled over charcoal, this is a staple main course found at family gatherings and seaside grills across the islands. Cultural Background: Whole fish marinated in a tangy tamarind and chilli paste, then grilled over charcoal, this is a staple main course found at […]
Introduction: A light, fragrant fish soup built on the daily catch, flavoured with tomato, garlic and a touch of chilli. Cultural Background: A light, fragrant fish soup built on the daily catch, flavoured with tomato, garlic and a touch of chilli. It's a simple, everyday dish that reflects the islands' total dependence on the surrounding […]
Introduction: Comoros' answer to the spiced rice dishes found right around the Indian Ocean rim, pilaou layers rice with beef or chicken, whole spices and caramelised onions. Cultural Background: Comoros' answer to the spiced rice dishes found right around the Indian Ocean rim, pilaou layers rice with beef or chicken, whole spices and caramelised onions. […]
Introduction: Crisp, triangular pastries filled with spiced meat or vegetables, sambusa reflect the strong Indian and Swahili trading influence on Comorian food. Cultural Background: Crisp, triangular pastries filled with spiced meat or vegetables, sambusa reflect the strong Indian and Swahili trading influence on Comorian food. They appear at nearly every gathering, from casual visits to […]
Introduction: Fragrant rice simmered in coconut milk rather than plain water, this simple side dish appears alongside nearly every main course in Comorian cooking, echoing the coconut-forward flavours found right across the islands. Cultural Background: Fragrant rice simmered in coconut milk rather than plain water, this simple side dish appears alongside nearly every main course […]
Introduction: A festive, richly spiced rice dish cooked with meat and dried fruit, bilahouri is prepared for weddings, religious feasts and other major celebrations, standing as a grander cousin to the everyday pilaou. Cultural Background: A festive, richly spiced rice dish cooked with meat and dried fruit, bilahouri is prepared for weddings, religious feasts and […]