Fa’alifu Fa’i (Green Bananas/Plantains in Savory Coconut Milk) – Authentic Samoa Recipe
Traditional Samoan comfort dish of starchy plantains bathed in salted onion coconut cream.
- Country of Origin
- 🇼🇸 Samoa (Polynesia, Oceania)
- Dietary Profile
- vegan
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Green plantains or firm bananas, Sweet onions, Wilted greens, Thick coconut cream, Sea salt
Ingredients for Fa’alifu Fa’i (Green Bananas/Plantains in Savory Coconut Milk) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) green plantains or firm bananas, prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups sweet onions, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup wilted greens
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with thick coconut cream
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Samoa seasoning (sea salt, grated ginger, lime)
- 2.5 cups rich culinary stock or aromatic cooking liquid, plus 2 tbsp cooking oil
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat; brown green plantains or firm bananas for 5 minutes.
- Add minced onion, garlic, thick coconut cream, and sea salt, grated ginger, lime, stirring for 2 minutes until deeply aromatic.
- Add sweet onions and pour in the braising liquid; bring to a lively simmer.
- Cover and braise over medium-low heat for 20–22 minutes until meltingly tender and the sauce is rich and glossy.
- Stir in wilted greens right before serving warm.