Boiled Cassava with Coconut Cream (Manioke Mo Lolo)

Manioke, or cassava, is a cornerstone of the Tongan diet, boiled, baked, or fried and eaten with everything. The most traditional way is also the simplest: boiled until soft, then dipped into sweetened coconut cream. It is the side dish at every Tongan feast and the snack at every grandmother’s house, loved for its creamy, starchy heart.

What makes it great: tender cassava with a subtle sweetness, made luxurious by a dip of sweet coconut cream. It is effortless, vegan, and endlessly comforting — and it pairs beautifully with any meat, fish, or curry on the table.

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