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Fijian Vakalolo

Fijian vakalolo recipe: sweet cassava steamed with rich coconut cream into a dense, golden pudding. A comforting Fijian island dessert, served warm in slices.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DessertCategory
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Fijian Vakalolo

Vakalolo is the sweet that Fijian grandmothers make when the family gathers: grated cassava squeezed with coconut cream, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed into a moist, dense pudding. It is served at Sunday lunches, church fundraisers and village celebrations.

Its appeal is pure comfort — softly chewy cassava, sweetened coconut and a golden top that caramelises as it steams. Eat it warm with extra coconut cream spooned over.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Grate the cassava finely and squeeze out excess moisture with a clean kitchen towel.
  2. Mix the grated cassava with the coconut cream, sugar, salt and vanilla until well combined.
  3. Spoon the mixture onto banana-leaf squares (or into a foil-lined dish) and wrap into parcels, or press into a 9-inch baking pan.
  4. Steam the parcels for 60-75 minutes, or bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes, until set and golden.
  5. Cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm, drizzled with coconut cream.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Choose fresh cassava that is firm with no dark patches, and remove the waxy skin and fibrous core before grating. If cassava is hard to find, frozen grated cassava works well.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryDessert
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →