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Kumala (sweet potato in coconut milk): recipe illustration
Desserts

Kumala (sweet potato in coconut milk)

Sweet potatoes cooked in sweetened coconut milk, soft and creamy. A traditional side dish in Tongan cooking, served at family meals and celebrations.

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Ingredients

Ingredients

Spices & seasoning

Optional extras

Nutrition facts

443 kcal per serving

Protein
4.8 g
Carbohydrates
46.6 g
of which sugars
19.9 g
Fat
24.9 g
of which saturated fat
20.8 g
Fiber
6.3 g

Ecomely’s estimate, calculated from the ingredients with the ANSES Ciqual food composition table, excluding sides and seasoning added to taste.

Instructions

  1. Peel the sweet potatoes, cut them into cubes about 3 cm wide and rinse them in cold water.
  2. In a saucepan, put the cubes with the coconut milk, the sugar and a pinch of salt, then gently bring to a boil.
  3. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the flesh mashes easily with a fork.
  4. Add the butter and the vanilla if using, then roughly mash for a creamy but still slightly rustic texture.
  5. Let it rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving, warm or hot.

Variations and tips

Lighter version. Replace half of the coconut milk with water and leave out the butter.

With what's available here. Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are easy to find; otherwise use purple sweet potatoes or butternut squash.

More ideas

Caramelised bananas in coconut milk (fua kalamel)20 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyKumara fakafiu (kumala fakafiu)50 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyRice porridge with coconut milk (kanu laisi)40 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyFakafiu fua (sweet tropical fruit dessert with coconut cream)35 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyCoconut milk kava (kava lolo)25 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyKumala lu (sweet potato wrapped in leaves)1 h 10 · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyKumala mo e fua (sweet potato and banana)45 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyLolo (coconut cream)30 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendly

Original Ecomely recipe.