Ingredients
Fruit
- 1ripe pandanus head, Pandanus tectorius
Equipment
- a heavy knife
- a firm surface
Nothing is added
- the keys are chewed as they are
Note
- the fibre is chewed and spat out rather than swallowed
Directions
- Set the head on a firm surface.
- Pull the keys off one at a time, twisting as you pull.
- Discard the woody central core. Preparing the keys takes one cut.
- Trim the hard fibrous tip off each key.
- Rinse the keys if they are dusty. Take a key by its trimmed end.
- Put the soft coloured base into your mouth.
- Keep chewing until only dry fibre remains. Serving it is done very simply.
Technique
- The keys are chewed for their juice and the spent fibre is spat out.
- A green head is hard and astringent; ripe keys are orange to red at the base.
- Trim the hard fibrous tip off each key before chewing.
Substitutions
- There is no substitute, since the fruit is specific to the tree.
- Any ripe Pandanus tectorius head, of which many cultivars exist.
Variations
- Chewed fresh, straight from the head.
- Pounded and boiled into a preserved paste.
- Juiced and drunk fresh, which some households do.
History
Kiribati grows dozens of named pandanus cultivars, each valued for sweetness, and the trees are inherited property.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pandanus Fruit?
Pandanus Fruit is a snack from Kiribati: fibrous orange keys chewed straight from the head for their sweet juice. Kiribati grows dozens of named pandanus cultivars, each valued for sweetness, and the trees are inherited property.
How long does Pandanus Fruit take to make?
Pandanus Fruit takes 15 min of preparation and none of cooking. The recipe makes varies with the head. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Pandanus Fruit?
Yes, within limits. There is no substitute, since the fruit is specific to the tree. Any ripe Pandanus tectorius head, of which many cultivars exist.
