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Kumala lu (sweet potato wrapped in leaves): recipe illustration
Everyday meals

Kumala lu (sweet potato wrapped in leaves)

Pieces of sweet potato and onion wrapped in taro leaves and drizzled with coconut milk, cooked until meltingly tender. A soft, sweet side dish typical of Tongan meals.

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Ingredients

Ingredients

Spices & seasoning

Optional extras

Instructions

  1. Peel the sweet potato and cut it into slices about 1 cm thick. Finely slice the onions.
  2. Remove the central rib from the taro leaves and blanch them for 2 minutes in boiling water, then drain.
  3. Layer two leaves, place a handful of sweet potato on top, a few onion rings and a pinch of salt.
  4. Drizzle with a spoonful of coconut milk, fold the leaves into a parcel and tie it with string.
  5. Arrange the parcels in a steamer basket and steam for 40 minutes, until the sweet potato is tender.
  6. Serve the parcels opened, with the remaining coconut milk warmed as a sauce.

Variations and tips

Sweet version. Add a spoonful of cane sugar to the coconut milk for a more dessert-like taste.

More ideas

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Original Ecomely recipe.