Samoan Recipes

Samoan cuisine is rooted in Polynesian traditions, centered on the umu (earth oven) where whole pigs, taro, breadfruit, and palusami (coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves) are slow-cooked for family and village feasts. Coconut is essential—used as cream, milk, and oil in virtually every dish. Oka (raw fish marinated in coconut cream and lime) is the Samoan ceviche. Koko Samoa (roasted cacao drink) and fa'alifu dishes (cooked in rich coconut cream) reflect the generous, communal nature of fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way).