Apigigi

About This Recipe

Apigigi is a traditional Chamorro and Northern Mariana snack made from young coconut and sweet glutinous rice. The banana leaf imparts a subtle earthy aroma.

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 2 cupsglutinous rice flour
• 1 cupyoung coconut meat(grated or finely shredded)
• 3/4 cupcoconut milk
• 3 tbspsugar
• 1/2 tspsalt
• 6 piecesbanana leaves(softened over flame, cut 20x20 cm)

Instructions

1. 1

   Make dough

   Combine rice flour, coconut meat, coconut milk, sugar, and salt. Mix into a soft, pliable dough.

2. 2

   Wrap

   Place a heaped tablespoon of dough onto a banana leaf piece, fold the leaf over the dough, and secure with a toothpick or fold tightly.

3. 3

   Grill

   Cook wrapped cakes on a grill or griddle over medium heat 8–10 minutes per side until the leaf chars and the dough is cooked through.

   Char on the leaf is normal and desirable — it imparts flavor.

4. 4

   Serve

   Unwrap and eat warm. The exterior should be slightly chewy and the inside soft.

Variations

• •

  Add a pinch of vanilla for a dessert version.

• •

  Serve with a drizzle of condensed milk.

Storage

Best eaten same day. Can be refrigerated up to 2 days and reheated on a dry pan.

Frequently Asked Questions