Exciting Coconut Recipes from Mand

by Amy Levendusky

Apior (made from Adohl coconut husk) and dalok, made from coconut embryo (pahr), are among the delicacies of Pingelap. Both dishes were made and presented in Mand during recent June community meetings as part of the Documentation of the Traditional Food System of Pohnpei project coordinated by the Island Food Community of Pohnpei.

On June 16, Rekihna Abrahm prepared and presented apior. The Adohl coconut husk is the only variety of coconut of which the husk is sweet and is consumed. The apior pieces were chewed and greatly enjoyed by all. Many community members pointed out that they had not had apior for many years. Some explained how their parents used to make this for them when they were sick as apior is said to be good to consume during illness.

Sanihser Abrahm presented dalok during the June 23 meeting. Community members were reminded of how delicious and satisfying coconut dishes can be, as they sampled the recipes. Community members were also reminded of the nutritional value of the coconut and that coconuts are readily abundant and available on island. Coconut is not only a refreshing drink, but also a healthy snack. Local drinking coconuts are a healthy substitution for imported sugary soda. Copra and the young soft meat of the coconut provide another healthy alternative to imported sugary snack foods.

Remember consuming too much sugar is not good for your health. Instead of reaching for a sugary imported soda to drink or a sugary imported snack food to eat, reach for a coconut!

Apior

Ingredients

2 Adohl coconut husks
2 mature coconuts, grated

Method

1. Take off peeling of Adohl coconut (it is only this variety of coconut that can be used).
2. Separate pieces of Adohl coconut husk into bite size portions.
3. Put 1-2 tablespoons of grated coconut into each bite size portion of the Adohl coconut husk.
4. 4. Wrap up and tie off each bite size portion of Adohl coconut husk.

Makes about 20 servings, depending on the size.

Dalok

Ingredients

10 coconut embryos (pahr)
Juice of 2 drinking coconuts (uhpw)
Soft meat of 2 drinking coconuts (uhpw)
Method

1. Remove the embryos and grate into a bowl or plastic container.
2. Add coconut juice.
3. Spoon out the soft meat of young coconut and add to embryo and coconut juice mixture.

Note: Some people also add sugar and sweet condensed milk, but these contribute to health problems, such as diabetes and dental decay. As coconut juice is rich in natural sugars, it is advised to not add any additional sugar.

Makes about 20 servings, depending on the size.