Niuean cuisine

Niuean cuisine is the traditional food culture and culinary practices of Niue, a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. The cuisine is largely based on tropical crops, seafood, and imported food items.

Overview

Niuean cuisine is a blend of traditional Polynesian food and influences from Western cuisines. The island's isolation and lack of natural resources have led to a reliance on imported food, but traditional Niuean dishes are still prevalent. The diet is heavily based on starches, coconut, fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish.

Ingredients

The staple food in Niue is taro, a root vegetable that is often served boiled. Other common ingredients include yams, breadfruit, and bananas. Coconut is used extensively, both for its meat and milk. The ocean provides a variety of seafood, including fish, crabs, and octopus.

Dishes

One traditional Niuean dish is takihi, a casserole made with layers of taro and coconut cream, often with the addition of chicken. Another is ufi, a dish made from yams. Seafood is often prepared raw, marinated in citrus juice and coconut milk, a dish known as oka.

Drinks

Coconut water is a common drink, and kava, a traditional Polynesian drink made from the roots of the kava plant, is also consumed.

Influence

The cuisine of Niue has been influenced by other cultures, particularly New Zealand, due to the large Niuean community living there. This has led to the introduction of new ingredients and cooking methods.

See also

• Cuisine of New Zealand
• Polynesian cuisine