Tonga

Tonga (, ; tongan: [ˈtoŋa]) officially named the kingdom of tonga (tongan: puleʻanga fakatuʻi ʻo tonga), is a polynesian country and also an archipelago consisting of 171 islands, of which 45 are inhabited. the total surface area of the archipelago is about 750 km2 (290 sq mi), scattered over 700,000 km2 (270,000 sq mi) of the southern pacific o...

Popular Searches:


Featured Dishes from Tonga

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Banana

A banana is an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus musa. in some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called "plantains", distinguishing them from dessert bananas. the fruit is variable in size, color, and firmness, but is usually elongated and curved, with soft flesh rich in starch covered with a rind, which may be green, yellow, red, purple, or brown when ripe. the fruits grow upward in clusters near the top of the plant. almost all modern edible seedless (parthenocarp) bananas come from two wild species – musa acuminata and musa balbisiana. the scientific names of most cultivated bananas are musa acuminata, musa balbisiana, and musa × paradisiaca for the hybrid musa acuminata × m. balbisiana, depending on their genomic constitution. the old scientific name for this hybrid, musa sapientum, is no longer used. musa species are native to tropical indomalaya and australia, and are likely to have been first domesticated in papua new guinea. they are grown in 135 countries, primarily for their fruit, and to a lesser extent to make fiber, banana wine, and banana beer and as ornamental plants. the world's largest producers of bananas in 2017 were india and china, which together accounted for approximately 38% of total production.worldwide, there is no sharp distinction between "bananas" and "plantains". especially in the americas and europe, "banana" usually refers to soft, sweet, dessert bananas, particularly those of the cavendish group, which are the main exports from banana-growing countries. by contrast, musa cultivars with firmer, starchier fruit are called "plantains". in other regions, such as southeast asia, many more kinds of banana are grown and eaten, so the binary distinction is not as useful and is not made in local languages. the term "banana" is also used as the common name for the plants that produce the fruit. this can extend to other members of the genus musa, such as the scarlet banana (musa coccinea), the pink banana (musa velutina), and the fe'i bananas. it can also refer to members of the genus ensete, such as the snow banana (ensete glaucum) and the economically important false banana (ensete ventricosum). both genera are in the banana family, musaceae.

Main

Chicken

The chicken (gallus domesticus) is a domesticated junglefowl species, with attributes of wild species such as the grey and the ceylon junglefowl that are originally from southeastern asia. rooster or cock is a term for an adult male bird, and a younger male may be called a cockerel. a male that has been castrated is a capon. an adult female bird is called a hen and a sexually immature female is called a pullet. originally raised for cockfighting or for special ceremonies, chickens were not kept for food until the hellenistic period (4th–2nd centuries bc). humans now keep chickens primarily as a source of food (consuming both their meat and eggs) and as pets. chickens are one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, with a total population of 23.7 billion as of 2018, up from more than 19 billion in 2011. there are more chickens in the world than any other bird. there are numerous cultural references to chickens – in myth, folklore and religion, and in language and literature. genetic studies have pointed to multiple maternal origins in south asia, southeast asia, and east asia, but the clade found in the americas, europe, the middle east and africa originated from the indian subcontinent. from ancient india, the chicken spread to lydia in western asia minor, and to greece by the 5th century bc. fowl have been known in egypt since the mid-15th century bc, with the "bird that gives birth every day" having come from the land between syria and shinar, babylonia, according to the annals of thutmose iii.

Main

Clam

Clam is a common name for several kinds of bivalve molluscs. the word is often applied only to those that are edible and live as infauna, spending most of their lives halfway buried in the sand of the seafloor or riverbeds. clams have two shells of equal size connected by two adductor muscles and have a powerful burrowing foot. they live in both freshwater and marine environments; in salt water they prefer to burrow down into the mud and the turbidity of the water required varies with species and location; the greatest diversity of these is in north america.clams in the culinary sense do not live attached to a substrate (whereas oysters and mussels do) and do not live near the bottom (whereas scallops do). in culinary usage, clams are commonly eaten marine bivalves, as in clam digging and the resulting soup, clam chowder. many edible clams such as palourde clams are ovoid or triangular; however, razor clams have an elongated parallel-sided shell, suggesting an old-fashioned straight razor.some clams have life cycles of only one year, while at least one may be over 500 years old. all clams have two calcareous shells or valves joined near a hinge with a flexible ligament and all are filter feeders.

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Coconut

The coconut tree (cocos nucifera) is a member of the palm tree family (arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus cocos. the term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which botanically is a drupe, not a nut. the name comes from the old portuguese word coco, meaning "head" or "skull", after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features. they are ubiquitous in coastal tropical regions and are a cultural icon of the tropics. the coconut tree provides food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine and building materials, among many other uses. the inner flesh of the mature seed, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it, form a regular part of the diets of many people in the tropics and subtropics. coconuts are distinct from other fruits because their endosperm contains a large quantity of clear liquid, called coconut water or coconut juice. mature, ripe coconuts can be used as edible seeds, or processed for oil and plant milk from the flesh, charcoal from the hard shell, and coir from the fibrous husk. dried coconut flesh is called copra, and the oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking – frying in particular – as well as in soaps and cosmetics. sweet coconut sap can be made into drinks or fermented into palm wine or coconut vinegar. the hard shells, fibrous husks and long pinnate leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decoration. the coconut has cultural and religious significance in certain societies, particularly in the western pacific austronesian cultures where it features in their mythologies, songs, and oral traditions. it also had ceremonial importance in pre-colonial animistic religions. it has also acquired religious significance in south asian cultures, where it is used in hindu rituals. it forms the basis of wedding and worship rituals in hinduism. it also plays a central role in the coconut religion of vietnam. the falling of their mature fruit has led to preoccupation with death by coconut.coconuts were first domesticated by the austronesian peoples in island southeast asia and were spread during the neolithic via their seaborne migrations as far east as the pacific islands, and as far west as madagascar and the comoros. they played a critical role in the long sea voyages of austronesians by providing a portable source of food and water, as well as providing building materials for austronesian outrigger boats. coconuts were also later spread in historic times along the coasts of the indian and atlantic oceans by south asian, arab, and european sailors. based on these separate introductions, coconut populations can still be divided into pacific coconuts and indo-atlantic coconuts, respectively. coconuts were introduced by europeans to the americas only during the colonial era in the columbian exchange, but there is evidence of a possible pre-columbian introduction of pacific coconuts to panama by austronesian sailors. the evolutionary origin of the coconut is under dispute, with theories stating that it may have evolved in asia, south america, or on pacific islands. trees grow up to 30 metres (100 feet) tall and can yield up to 75 fruits per year, though fewer than 30 is more typical. plants are intolerant of cold weather and prefer copious precipitation, as well as full sunlight. many insect pests and diseases affect the species and are a nuisance for commercial production. about 75% of the world's supply of coconuts is produced by indonesia, philippines, and india. the coconut tree is the official state tree of kerala, india.

Drink

Coconut water

Coconut water (also coconut juice) is the clear liquid inside coconuts (fruits of the coconut palm). in early development, it serves as a suspension for the endosperm of the coconut during the nuclear phase of development. as growth continues, the endosperm matures into its cellular phase and deposits into the rind of the coconut pulp. the liquid inside young coconuts is often preferred to the liquid of a ripened coconut. coconut water from young green coconuts is also known specifically as buko juice in philippine english.

Drink

Coffee

Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, the seeds of berries from certain flowering plants in the coffea genus. from the coffee fruit, the seeds are separated to produce a stable, raw product: unroasted green coffee. the seeds are then roasted, a process which transforms them into a consumable product: roasted coffee, which is ground into fine particles that are typically steeped in hot water before being filtered out, producing a cup of coffee. coffee is darkly colored, bitter, slightly acidic and has a stimulating effect in humans, primarily due to its caffeine content. it is one of the most popular drinks in the world and can be prepared and presented in a variety of ways (e.g., espresso, french press, caffè latte, or already-brewed canned coffee). it is usually served hot, although chilled or iced coffee is common. sugar, sugar substitutes, milk or cream are often used to lessen the bitter taste or enhance the flavor. it may be served with coffee cake or another sweet dessert, like doughnuts. a commercial establishment that sells prepared coffee beverages is known as a coffeehouse or coffee shop (not to be confused with dutch coffeeshops selling cannabis). clinical research indicates that moderate coffee consumption is benign or mildly beneficial as a stimulant in healthy adults, with continuing research on whether long-term consumption has positive or negative effects.though coffee is now a global commodity, it has a long history tied closely to food traditions around the red sea. the earliest credible evidence of the drinking of coffee in the form of the modern beverage appears in modern-day yemen from the mid-15th century in sufi shrines, where coffee seeds were first roasted and brewed in a manner similar to current methods. the yemenis procured the coffee beans from the ethiopian highlands via coastal somali intermediaries and began cultivation. by the 16th century, the drink had reached the rest of the middle east and north africa, later spreading to europe. in the 20th century, coffee became a much more global commodity, creating different coffee cultures around the world. the two most commonly grown coffee bean types are c. arabica and c. robusta. coffee plants are cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in the equatorial regions of the americas, southeast asia, the indian subcontinent, and africa. as of 2018, brazil was the leading grower of coffee beans, producing 35% of the world total. coffee is a major export commodity as the leading legal agricultural export for numerous countries. it is one of the most valuable commodities exported by developing countries. green, unroasted coffee is the most traded agricultural commodity and one of the most traded commodities overall, second only to petroleum. despite the sales of coffee reaching billions of dollars, those actually producing the beans are disproportionately living in poverty. critics also point to the coffee industry's negative impact on the environment and the clearing of land for coffee-growing and water use. the environmental costs and wage disparity of farmers are causing the market for fair trade and organic coffee to expand.

Main

Crab

Crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" (abdomen) (greek: βραχύς, romanized: brachys = short, οὐρά / οura = tail), usually hidden entirely under the thorax. they live in all the world's oceans, in fresh water, and on land, are generally covered with a thick exoskeleton, and have a single pair of pincers. they first appeared during the jurassic period.

Main

Crayfish

Spiny lobsters, also known as langustas, langouste, or rock lobsters, are a family (palinuridae) of about 60 species of achelate crustaceans, in the decapoda reptantia. spiny lobsters are also, especially in australia, new zealand, ireland, south africa, and the bahamas, called crayfish, sea crayfish, or crawfish ("kreef" in south africa), terms which elsewhere are reserved for freshwater crayfish.

Main

Dog

Dog meat is the flesh and other edible parts derived from dogs. historically, human consumption of dog meat has been recorded in many parts of the world. during the 19th century westward movement in the united states, mountainmen, native americans, the u.s. army, as well as the confederacy during the american civil war sometimes had to sustain themselves on dogmeat; first to be consumed would be the horses, then the mules, and lastly the dogs. in the 21st century, dog meat is consumed in china, nigeria, switzerland, and vietnam, and it is eaten or is legal to be eaten in other countries throughout the world. some cultures view the consumption of dog meat as part of their traditional, ritualistic, or day-to-day cuisine, and other cultures consider consumption of dog meat a taboo, even where it had been consumed in the past. opinions also vary drastically across different regions within different countries. it was estimated in 2014 that worldwide, 27 million dogs are eaten each year by humans.

Main

Eggs

Eggs are laid by female animals of many different species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, a few mammals, and fish, and many of these have been eaten by humans for thousands of years. bird and reptile eggs consist of a protective eggshell, albumen (egg white), and vitellus (egg yolk), contained within various thin membranes. the most commonly consumed eggs are chicken eggs. other poultry eggs including those of duck and quail also are eaten. fish eggs are called roe and caviar. egg yolks and whole eggs store significant amounts of protein and choline, and are widely used in cookery. due to their protein content, the united states department of agriculture formerly categorized eggs as meats within the food guide pyramid (now myplate). despite the nutritional value of eggs, there are some potential health issues arising from cholesterol content, salmonella contamination, and allergy to egg proteins. chickens and other egg-laying creatures are kept widely throughout the world and mass production of chicken eggs is a global industry. in 2009, an estimated 62.1 million metric tons of eggs were produced worldwide from a total laying flock of approximately 6.4 billion hens. there are issues of regional variation in demand and expectation, as well as current debates concerning methods of mass production. in 2012, the european union banned battery husbandry of chickens.

Dessert, Sweet

Faikakai

Dumplings in coconut syrup

Dessert, Sweet

Faikakai malimali

Banana dumplings with coconut syrup

Dessert, Sweet

Faikakai manioke tama

Cassava dumplings with coconut syrup

Dessert, Sweet

Faikakai mei

Breadfruit dumplings with coconut syrup

Dessert, Sweet

Faikakai ngou'a

Taro leaf dumplings with coconut syrup

Dessert, Sweet

Faikakai topai

Wheat flour dumplings in lolo, a sweet coconut syrup/sauce

Main

Feke

Octopus or squid, grilled, in coconut sauce

Main

Fish

Steamed, grilled

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Fruit

Avocado (avoka), bananas (siane), breadfruit (mei), coconut (niu), guava (kuava), lemons, limes, mandarins (moli vai keli), mango, oranges (moli peli), papaya (lesi), passion (passion), passionfruit (vaine), pineapples, plantains (hopa, pata), soursop (indian apple, 'apele 'initia), watermelon

Main

Goat

Goat meat or goat's meat is the meat of the domestic goat (capra aegagrus hircus). the common name for goat meat is simply "goat", though meat from adult goats is referred to as chevon, while that from young goats can be called capretto (it.), cabrito (sp. and por.) or kid. in south asian and caribbean cuisine, mutton commonly means goat meat. in south asia, where mutton curry is popular, "mutton" is used for both goat and lamb meat. the culinary name "chevon", a blend of chèvre 'goat' and mouton 'sheep', was coined in 1922 and selected by a trade association; it was adopted by the united states department of agriculture in 1928.: 19  according to market research, consumers in the united states prefer "chevon" to "goat" "cabrito", a word of spanish and portuguese origin, refers specifically to the meat of a young, milk-fed goat. it is also known as chivo.

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Haka talo

Taro and onions in coconut cream

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Hawaiian sweet potato

Purple in color

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Hibiscus leaves

Hibiscus tiliaceus, commonly known as the sea hibiscus or coast cottonwood, is a species of flowering tree in the mallow family, malvaceae, with a pantropical distribution along coastlines. it has also been introduced to florida and new zealand. it has been debated whether this species is native or introduced to hawaii.

Drink

Hopi

Home-brewed alcohol made with fruit

Main

Horse meat

Horse meat forms a significant part of the culinary traditions of many countries, particularly in europe and asia. the eight countries that consume the most horse meat consume about 4.3 million horses a year. for the majority of humanity's early existence, wild horses were hunted as a source of protein.

Drink

Hot chocolate

Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa or drinking chocolate, is heated chocolate milk. hot chocolate made with melted chocolate is sometimes called drinking chocolate, characterized by less sweetness and a thicker consistency.the first chocolate drink is believed to have been created by the maya around 2,500–3,000 years ago, and a cocoa drink was an essential part of aztec culture by 1400 ad, by which they referred to as xocōlātl. the drink became popular in europe after being introduced from mexico in the new world and has undergone multiple changes since then. until the 19th century, hot chocolate was used medicinally to treat ailments such as liver and stomach diseases. hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world and comes in multiple variations, including the spiced chocolate para mesa of latin america, the very thick cioccolata calda served in italy and chocolate a la taza served in spain, and the thinner hot cocoa consumed in the united states. prepared hot chocolate can be purchased from a range of establishments, including cafeterias, fast food restaurants, coffeehouses and teahouses. powdered hot chocolate mixes, which can be added to boiling water or hot milk to make the drink at home, are sold at grocery stores and online.

Breakfast

Hot chocolate

Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa or drinking chocolate, is heated chocolate milk. hot chocolate made with melted chocolate is sometimes called drinking chocolate, characterized by less sweetness and a thicker consistency.the first chocolate drink is believed to have been created by the maya around 2,500–3,000 years ago, and a cocoa drink was an essential part of aztec culture by 1400 ad, by which they referred to as xocōlātl. the drink became popular in europe after being introduced from mexico in the new world and has undergone multiple changes since then. until the 19th century, hot chocolate was used medicinally to treat ailments such as liver and stomach diseases. hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world and comes in multiple variations, including the spiced chocolate para mesa of latin america, the very thick cioccolata calda served in italy and chocolate a la taza served in spain, and the thinner hot cocoa consumed in the united states. prepared hot chocolate can be purchased from a range of establishments, including cafeterias, fast food restaurants, coffeehouses and teahouses. powdered hot chocolate mixes, which can be added to boiling water or hot milk to make the drink at home, are sold at grocery stores and online.

Main

Kapapulu

Corned beef, or salt beef in some of the commonwealth of nations, is salt-cured brisket of beef. the term comes from the treatment of the meat with large-grained rock salt, also called "corns" of salt. sometimes, sugar and spices are added to corned beef recipes. corned beef is featured as an ingredient in many cuisines. most recipes include nitrates, which convert the natural myoglobin in beef to nitrosomyoglobin, giving it a pink color. nitrates and nitrites reduce the risk of dangerous botulism during curing by inhibiting the growth of clostridium botulinum bacteria spores, but have been linked to increased cancer risk in mice. beef cured without nitrates or nitrites has a gray color, and is sometimes called "new england corned beef".corned beef was a popular meal throughout numerous wars, including world war i and world war ii, during which fresh meat was rationed. it also remains popular worldwide as an ingredient in a variety of regional dishes and as a common part in modern field rations of various armed forces around the world.

Main

Kapisi pulu

Cabbage, corned beef, onions and tomatoes in coconut cream

Drink

Kava

A beverage made from the powdered roots of the kava plant, known for its sedating effects

Breakfast

Keke vai

Pancakes, for example, banana pancakes (keke vai with banana)

Main

Lamb flaps

Lamb breast is a cut from the chest that contains ribs, commonly stuffed and roasted

Main

Lobster

Lobsters are a family (nephropidae, synonym homaridae) of large marine crustaceans. lobsters have long bodies with muscular tails, and live in crevices or burrows on the sea floor. three of their five pairs of legs have claws, including the first pair, which are usually much larger than the others. highly prized as seafood, lobsters are economically important, and are often one of the most profitable commodities in coastal areas they populate.commercially important species include two species of homarus (which look more like the stereotypical lobster) from the northern atlantic ocean, and scampi (which look more like a shrimp, or a "mini lobster") — the northern hemisphere genus nephrops and the southern hemisphere genus metanephrops.

Main

Lo'i feke

Octopus in coconut cream

Dessert, Sweet

Lolo

Coconut syrup or caramel, commonly served with sweet dumplings

Main

Lu

Corned beef with coconut cream

Main

Lu hoosi

Horse meat, onions and coconut cream cooked inside taro leaves, for example, in an umu (underground oven)

Main

Lu moa

Chicken, onions and coconut cream cooked inside taro leaves, for example, in an umu (underground oven)

Main

Lu pulu

Corned beef, onions and coconut cream cooked inside taro leaves, for example, in an umu (underground oven)

Main

Lu sipi

Lamb, onions and coconut cream cooked inside taro leaves, for example, in an umu (underground oven)

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Ma pakupaku

Hardtack (or hard tack) is a simple type of dense biscuit or cracker made from flour, water, and sometimes salt. hardtack is inexpensive and long-lasting. it is used for sustenance in the absence of perishable foods, commonly during long sea voyages, land migrations, and military campaigns. along with salt pork, hardtack was a standard ration for many militaries and navies from the 17th through the early 20th centuries.

Main

Mussel

Mussel () is the common name used for members of several families of bivalve molluscs, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. these groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval. the word "mussel" is frequently used to mean the bivalves of the marine family mytilidae, most of which live on exposed shores in the intertidal zone, attached by means of their strong byssal threads ("beard") to a firm substrate. a few species (in the genus bathymodiolus) have colonised hydrothermal vents associated with deep ocean ridges. in most marine mussels the shell is longer than it is wide, being wedge-shaped or asymmetrical. the external colour of the shell is often dark blue, blackish, or brown, while the interior is silvery and somewhat nacreous. the common name "mussel" is also used for many freshwater bivalves, including the freshwater pearl mussels. freshwater mussel species inhabit lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, canals, and they are classified in a different subclass of bivalves, despite some very superficial similarities in appearance. freshwater zebra mussels and their relatives in the family dreissenidae are not related to previously mentioned groups, even though they resemble many mytilus species in shape, and live attached to rocks and other hard surfaces in a similar manner, using a byssus. they are classified with the heterodonta, the taxonomic group which includes most of the bivalves commonly referred to as "clams".

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Nutolo

Ramen noodles, noodle soup

Main

Octopus

People of some cultures eat octopus. the arms and sometimes other body parts are prepared in various ways, often varying by species and/or geography. octopuses are sometimes eaten or prepared alive, a practice that is controversial due to scientific evidence that octopuses experience pain.

Drink

Otai

ʻotai is a drink which originated in western polynesia and is usually made as a refreshing accompaniment to large meals. today, the beverage is most associated with tongan cuisine, although similar versions of 'otai were made and enjoyed in other archipelagoes, including uvea, samoa, futuna, tokelau, tuvalu, and niue. the original samoan version as recorded by european colonists in the 1890s was made by mixing grated ambarella fruit (called vi in samoan language and tongan, wi in hawaiian language) and young coconut meat with coconut milk and coconut water. the mixture was poured into large, empty coconut shells corked with coconut husk and allowed to chill in cold pools of water (or behind waterfalls) before serving. the modern tongan recipe most well-known today is usually a blend of water, shredded coconut meat, and any variety of grated tropical fruits, most commonly watermelon, mango and pineapple, with watermelon being the most used in the tongan islands. sugar is usually added to taste. tongan historians have noted this version is a very modern take on the traditional polynesian ʻotai, especially since milk, refined sugar, watermelons, mangos, and pineapples are all introduced, foreign ingredients that were not native to tonga. the original tongan recipe was said to be identical to the samoan recipe, except the preferred native fruit was not ambarella (vi), but the tongan mountain apple, called fekika. in samoa, this distinction of "native" and "introduced" recipes is differentiated as "ʻotai" only refers to the drink prepared with vi fruit, while the ʻotai made with european-introduced fruits are respectively called vai meleni (watermelon drink), vai mago (mango drink), or vai fala (pineapple drink).

Main

Ota ika

ʻota ʻika is a oceanian dish consisting of raw fish marinated in citrus juice and coconut milk. the tongan, tahitian, and samoan variants are essentially identical in that the raw fish is briefly marinated in lemon or lime juice until the surface of the flesh becomes opaque. the fish is then mixed with coconut milk and diced vegetables (most commonly cucumber, tomato, onion, green onion, and spicy peppers). this is the national dish of tonga. the dish is otherwise known as coconut fish in nauru, kokoda in fiji and papua new guinea, oka in samoa, ika mata in the cook islands and new zealand, orao ra in kiribati, and simply poisson cru on the french islands. the word "ota" means "raw" within the polynesian language group, although the more common term for the dish in french polynesia is its french equivalent, "poisson cru" (literally, "raw fish"). any type of seafood can be used to make "ota," the word "ika" means fish ("i'a" in samoan language), but the dish is often prepared with mussels ("ota pipi/maso"), prawns ("ota ulavai"), crab ("ota pa'a/paka"), lobster ("ota ula"), octopus/squid ("ota fe'e/feke"), sea urchin ("ota vana/tuitui"), and eel ("ota pusi"). variants a very similar dish is the kinilaw of the philippines, and its descendant dish, the kelaguen of the marianas islands. the poke of hawaii is also similar though it does not use citrus juices or coconut milk. it is also similar to the latin american ceviche, though the latter is relatively recent and may be a derivative dish, as citruses are not native to the americas.

Main

Pacific imperial pigeon

The pacific imperial pigeon (ducula pacifica) is a widespread species of pigeon in the family columbidae. it is found in american samoa, the cook islands, the smaller islands of eastern fiji, kiribati, niue, the smaller satellite islands of papua new guinea, samoa, solomon islands, tokelau, tonga, tuvalu, vanuatu, and wallis and futuna islands. its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests on smaller islands and tropical moist montane forest on larger islands. across parts of its range it will travel between islands in order to forage. individuals may gather to form large flocks in fruiting trees and travel some distances to forage. the species is frugiverous, taking a number of different species of fruit, and occasionally leaves and flowers. pairs nest in high trees, constructing a concealed, unlined untidy nest of twigs. usually a single egg is laid, with incubation being undertaken by both sexes. the species has suffered from habitat loss and hunting pressure, and has declined locally in some areas, but it remains common over much of its range, and is listed as least concern by the iucn. it is most vulnerable in smaller islands. it was hunted in prehistoric times in tonga and samoa with elaborate traps on stone platforms, and these hunts were of considerable cultural significance. in niue this breed is called a lupe. it is a delicacy for the locals. it is now protected but people still hunt them. it is unknown where they breed or come from as no evidence of their nests have ever been found in niue.

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Panikeke

Round deep-fried pancakes or fritters

Main

Puaka

Pork, cooked in an umu (underground oven)

Main

Puaka tunu

Roast suckling pig cooked on a spit

Dessert, Sweet

Puligi

Steamed pudding

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Rice

Rice is the seed of the grass species oryza sativa (asian rice) or less commonly oryza glaberrima (african rice). the name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera zizania and porteresia, both wild and domesticated, although the term may also be used for primitive or uncultivated varieties of oryza. as a cereal grain, domesticated rice is the most widely consumed staple food for over half of the world's human population, especially in asia and africa. it is the agricultural commodity with the third-highest worldwide production, after sugarcane and maize. since sizable portions of sugarcane and maize crops are used for purposes other than human consumption, rice is the most important food crop with regard to human nutrition and caloric intake, providing more than one-fifth of the calories consumed worldwide by humans. there are many varieties of rice and culinary preferences tend to vary regionally. the traditional method for cultivating rice is flooding the fields while, or after, setting the young seedlings. this simple method requires sound irrigation planning but reduces the growth of less robust weed and pest plants that have no submerged growth state, and deters vermin. while flooding is not mandatory for the cultivation of rice, all other methods of irrigation require higher effort in weed and pest control during growth periods and a different approach for fertilizing the soil. rice, a monocot, is normally grown as an annual plant, although in tropical areas it can survive as a perennial and can produce a ratoon crop for up to 30 years. rice cultivation is well-suited to countries and regions with low labor costs and high rainfall, as it is labor-intensive to cultivate and requires ample water. however, rice can be grown practically anywhere, even on a steep hill or mountain area with the use of water-controlling terrace systems. although its parent species are native to asia and certain parts of africa, centuries of trade and exportation have made it commonplace in many cultures worldwide. production and consumption of rice is estimated to have been responsible for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2010.

Main

Salt beef

Corned beef, or salt beef in some of the commonwealth of nations, is salt-cured brisket of beef. the term comes from the treatment of the meat with large-grained rock salt, also called "corns" of salt. sometimes, sugar and spices are added to corned beef recipes. corned beef is featured as an ingredient in many cuisines. most recipes include nitrates, which convert the natural myoglobin in beef to nitrosomyoglobin, giving it a pink color. nitrates and nitrites reduce the risk of dangerous botulism during curing by inhibiting the growth of clostridium botulinum bacteria spores, but have been linked to increased cancer risk in mice. beef cured without nitrates or nitrites has a gray color, and is sometimes called "new england corned beef".corned beef was a popular meal throughout numerous wars, including world war i and world war ii, during which fresh meat was rationed. it also remains popular worldwide as an ingredient in a variety of regional dishes and as a common part in modern field rations of various armed forces around the world.

Main

Sapasui

Chop suey () is a dish in american chinese cuisine and other forms of overseas chinese cuisine, consisting of meat (often chicken, fish, beef, shrimp, or pork) and eggs, cooked quickly with vegetables such as bean sprouts, cabbage, and celery and bound in a starch-thickened sauce. it is typically served with rice but can become the chinese-american form of chow mein with the substitution of stir-fried noodles for rice. chop suey has become a prominent part of american chinese cuisine, filipino cuisine, canadian chinese cuisine, german chinese cuisine, indian chinese cuisine, and polynesian cuisine. in chinese indonesian cuisine it is known as cap cai (雜菜, "mixed vegetables") and mainly consists of vegetables.

Main

Sausage

A sausage is a type of meat product usually made from ground meat—often pork, beef, or poultry—along with salt, spices and other flavourings. other ingredients, such as grains or breadcrumbs may be included as fillers or extenders. when used as an adjective, the word sausage can refer to the loose sausage meat, which can be formed into patties or stuffed into a skin. when referred to as "a sausage", the product is usually cylindrical and encased in a skin. typically, a sausage is formed in a casing traditionally made from intestine, but sometimes from synthetic materials. sausages that are sold raw are cooked in many ways, including pan-frying, broiling and barbecuing. some sausages are cooked during processing, and the casing may then be removed. sausage-making is a traditional food preservation technique. sausages may be preserved by curing, drying (often in association with fermentation or culturing, which can contribute to preservation), smoking, or freezing. some cured or smoked sausages can be stored without refrigeration. most fresh sausages must be refrigerated or frozen until they are cooked. sausages are made in a wide range of national and regional varieties, which differ by the types of meats that are used, the flavouring or spicing ingredients (garlic, peppers, wine, etc.), and the manner of preparation. in the 21st century, vegetarian and vegan varieties of sausage which completely substitute plant-based ingredients for meat have become much more widely available and consumed.

Main

Sea cucumber

Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class holothuroidea (). they are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. sea cucumbers are found on the sea floor worldwide. the number of holothurian () species worldwide is about 1,717, with the greatest number being in the asia-pacific region. many of these are gathered for human consumption and some species are cultivated in aquaculture systems. the harvested product is variously referred to as trepang, namako, bêche-de-mer, or balate. sea cucumbers serve a useful role in the marine ecosystem as they help recycle nutrients, breaking down detritus and other organic matter, after which bacteria can continue the decomposition process.like all echinoderms, sea cucumbers have an endoskeleton just below the skin, calcified structures that are usually reduced to isolated microscopic ossicles (or sclerietes) joined by connective tissue. in some species these can sometimes be enlarged to flattened plates, forming an armour. in pelagic species such as pelagothuria natatrix (order elasipodida, family pelagothuriidae), the skeleton is absent and there is no calcareous ring.sea cucumbers are named for their resemblance to the fruit of the cucumber plant.

Main

Seafood

Seafood is any form of sea life regarded as food by humans, prominently including fish and shellfish. shellfish include various species of molluscs (e.g. bivalve molluscs such as clams, oysters and mussels, and cephalopods such as octopus and squid), crustaceans (e.g. shrimp, crabs, and lobster), and echinoderms (e.g. sea cucumbers and sea urchins). historically, marine mammals such as cetaceans (whales and dolphins) as well as seals have been eaten as food, though that happens to a lesser extent in modern times. edible sea plants such as some seaweeds and microalgae are widely eaten as sea vegetables around the world, especially in asia. seafood is an important source of (animal) protein in many diets around the world, especially in coastal areas. semi-vegetarians who consume seafood as the only source of meat are said to adhere to pescetarianism. the harvesting of wild seafood is usually known as fishing or hunting, while the cultivation and farming of seafood is known as aquaculture and fish farming (in the case of fish). most of the seafood harvest is consumed by humans, but a significant proportion is used as fish food to farm other fish or rear farm animals. some seafoods (i.e. kelp) are used as food for other plants (a fertilizer). in these ways, seafoods are used to produce further food for human consumption. also, products such as fish oil and spirulina tablets are extracted from seafoods. some seafood is fed to aquarium fish, or used to feed domestic pets such as cats. a small proportion is used in medicine, or is used industrially for nonfood purposes (e.g. leather).

Main

Sea snail

Sea snail is a common name for slow-moving marine gastropod molluscs, usually with visible external shells, such as whelk or abalone. they share the taxonomic class gastropoda with slugs, which are distinguished from snails primarily by the absence of a visible shell.

Main

Sea urchin

Sea urchins () are spiny, globular echinoderms in the class echinoidea. about 950 species of sea urchin live on the seabed of every ocean and inhabit every depth zone — from the intertidal seashore down to 5,000 meters (16,000 ft; 2,700 fathoms). the spherical, hard shells (tests) of sea urchins are round and spiny, ranging in diameter from 3 to 10 cm (1 to 4 in). sea urchins move slowly, crawling with tube feet, and also propel themselves with their spines. although algae are the primary diet, sea urchins also eat slow-moving (sessile) animals. in the food chain, the predators who eat sea urchins are the sea otter and the starfish, the wolf eel, the triggerfish, and human beings. adult sea urchins have fivefold symmetry, but their pluteus larvae feature bilateral (mirror) symmetry, indicating that the sea urchin belongs to the bilateria group of animal phyla, which also comprises the chordates and the arthropods, the annelids and the molluscs, and are found in every ocean and in every climate, from the tropics to the polar regions, and inhabit marine benthic (sea bed) habitats, from rocky shores to hadal zone depths. the fossil record of the echinoids dates from the ordovician period, some 450 million years ago; the closest echinoderm relatives of the sea urchin are the sea cucumbers (holothuroidea); both are deuterostomes, a clade that includes the chordates. the animals have been studied since the 19th century as model organisms in developmental biology, as their embryos were easy to observe; this has continued with studies of their genomes because of their unusual fivefold symmetry and relationship to chordates. species such as the slate pencil urchin are popular in aquariums, where they are useful for controlling algae. fossil urchins have been used as protective amulets.

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Seaweed

Edible seaweed, or sea vegetables, are seaweeds that can be eaten and used for culinary purposes. they typically contain high amounts of fiber. they may belong to one of several groups of multicellular algae: the red algae, green algae, and brown algae.seaweeds are also harvested or cultivated for the extraction of polysaccharides such as alginate, agar and carrageenan, gelatinous substances collectively known as hydrocolloids or phycocolloids. hydrocolloids have attained commercial significance, especially in food production as food additives. the food industry exploits the gelling, water-retention, emulsifying and other physical properties of these hydrocolloids.most edible seaweeds are marine algae whereas most freshwater algae are toxic. some marine algae contain acids that irritate the digestion canal, while some others can have a laxative and electrolyte-balancing effect. most marine macroalgae are nontoxic in normal quantities, but members of the genus lyngbya are potentially lethal. typically poisoning is caused by eating fish which have fed on lyngbya or on other fish which have done so. this is called ciguatera poisoning. handling lyngbya majuscula can also cause seaweed dermatitis. some species of desmarestia are highly acidic, with vacuoles of sulfuric acid that can cause severe gastrointestinal problems.the dish often served in western chinese restaurants as 'crispy seaweed' is not seaweed but cabbage that has been dried and then fried.

Main

Shellfish

Shellfish is a colloquial and fisheries term for exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates used as food, including various species of molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms. although most kinds of shellfish are harvested from saltwater environments, some are found in freshwater. in addition, a few species of land crabs are eaten, for example cardisoma guanhumi in the caribbean. shellfish are among the most common food allergens.despite the name, shellfish are not fish. most shellfish are low on the food chain and eat a diet composed primarily of phytoplankton and zooplankton. many varieties of shellfish, and crustaceans in particular, are actually closely related to insects and arachnids; crustaceans make up one of the main subphyla of the phylum arthropoda. molluscs include cephalopods (squids, octopuses, cuttlefish) and bivalves (clams, oysters), as well as gastropods (aquatic species such as whelks and winkles; land species such as snails and slugs). molluscs used as a food source by humans include many species of clams, mussels, oysters, winkles, and scallops. some crustaceans that are commonly eaten are shrimp, lobsters, crayfish, crabs and barnacles. echinoderms are not as frequently harvested for food as molluscs and crustaceans; however, sea urchin roe is quite popular in many parts of the world, where the live delicacy is harder to transport.though some shellfish harvesting has been unsustainable, and shrimp farming has been destructive in some parts of the world, shellfish farming can be important to environmental restoration, by developing reefs, filtering water and eating biomass.

Main

Shrimp

Shrimp are crustaceans with elongated bodies and a primarily swimming mode of locomotion – most commonly caridea and dendrobranchiata of the decapod order, although some crustaceans outside of this order are referred to as "shrimp". more narrow definitions may be restricted to caridea, to smaller species of either group or to only the marine species. under a broader definition, shrimp may be synonymous with prawn, covering stalk-eyed swimming crustaceans with long, narrow muscular tails (abdomens), long whiskers (antennae), and slender legs. any small crustacean which resembles a shrimp tends to be called one. they swim forward by paddling with swimmerets on the underside of their abdomens, although their escape response is typically repeated flicks with the tail driving them backwards very quickly. crabs and lobsters have strong walking legs, whereas shrimp have thin, fragile legs which they use primarily for perching.shrimp are widespread and abundant. there are thousands of species adapted to a wide range of habitats. they can be found feeding near the seafloor on most coasts and estuaries, as well as in rivers and lakes. to escape predators, some species flip off the seafloor and dive into the sediment. they usually live from one to seven years. shrimp are often solitary, though they can form large schools during the spawning season.they play important roles in the food chain and are an important food source for larger animals ranging from fish to whales. the muscular tails of many shrimp are edible to humans, and they are widely caught and farmed for human consumption. commercial shrimp species support an industry worth 50 billion dollars a year, and in 2010 the total commercial production of shrimp was nearly 7 million tonnes. shrimp farming became more prevalent during the 1980s, particularly in china, and by 2007 the harvest from shrimp farms exceeded the capture of wild shrimp. there are significant issues with excessive bycatch when shrimp are captured in the wild, and with pollution damage done to estuaries when they are used to support shrimp farming. many shrimp species are small as the term shrimp suggests, about 2 cm (0.79 in) long, but some shrimp exceed 25 cm (9.8 in). larger shrimp are more likely to be targeted commercially and are often referred to as prawns, particularly in britain.

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Tahitian chestnut

Inocarpus fagifer, commonly known as the tahitian chestnut or polynesian chestnut, is a species of flowering plant in the subfamily faboideae of the legume family, fabaceae. the tree has a wide range in the tropics of the south-west pacific and south-east asian regions, and a history of traditional use by the peoples of polynesia and melanesia. it is the only edible and culturally important member of the genus inocarpus.

Drink

Tea

Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to china, india and other east asian countries. tea is also rarely made from the leaves of camellia taliensis. after water, it is the most widely consumed drink in the world. there are many different types of tea; some have a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavour, while others have vastly different profiles that include sweet, nutty, floral, or grassy notes. tea has a stimulating effect in humans primarily due to its caffeine content.tea plants are native to east asia and probably originated in the borderlands of southwestern china and northern burma. an early credible record of tea drinking dates to the third century ad, in a medical text written by hua tuo. it was popularised as a recreational drink during the chinese tang dynasty, and tea drinking subsequently spread to other east asian countries. portuguese priests and merchants introduced it to europe during the 16th century. during the 17th century, drinking tea became fashionable among the english, who started to plant tea on a large scale in india. the term herbal tea refers to drinks not made from camellia sinensis. they are the infusions of fruit, leaves, or other plant parts, such as steeps of rosehip, chamomile, or rooibos. these may be called tisanes or herbal infusions to prevent confusion with tea made from the tea plant.

Main

Tinned beef

Corned beef, or salt beef in some of the commonwealth of nations, is salt-cured brisket of beef. the term comes from the treatment of the meat with large-grained rock salt, also called "corns" of salt. sometimes, sugar and spices are added to corned beef recipes. corned beef is featured as an ingredient in many cuisines. most recipes include nitrates, which convert the natural myoglobin in beef to nitrosomyoglobin, giving it a pink color. nitrates and nitrites reduce the risk of dangerous botulism during curing by inhibiting the growth of clostridium botulinum bacteria spores, but have been linked to increased cancer risk in mice. beef cured without nitrates or nitrites has a gray color, and is sometimes called "new england corned beef".corned beef was a popular meal throughout numerous wars, including world war i and world war ii, during which fresh meat was rationed. it also remains popular worldwide as an ingredient in a variety of regional dishes and as a common part in modern field rations of various armed forces around the world.

Main

Tonga feast served on a pola

Suckling pig, chicken, spiny lobster (crayfish), pork, vegetables, served with tropical fruit

Side, Snack, Appetizer

To'okutu

Coconut dumplings, coconut bread

Main

Tuna

A tuna is a saltwater fish that belongs to the tribe thunnini, a subgrouping of the scombridae (mackerel) family. the thunnini comprise 15 species across five genera, the sizes of which vary greatly, ranging from the bullet tuna (max length: 50 cm or 1.6 ft, weight: 1.8 kg or 4 lb) up to the atlantic bluefin tuna (max length: 4.6 m or 15 ft, weight: 684 kg or 1,508 lb), which averages 2 m (6.6 ft) and is believed to live up to 50 years. tuna, opah and mackerel sharks are the only species of fish that can maintain a body temperature higher than that of the surrounding water. an active and agile predator, the tuna has a sleek, streamlined body, and is among the fastest-swimming pelagic fish – the yellowfin tuna, for example, is capable of speeds of up to 75 km/h (47 mph). greatly inflated speeds can be found in early scientific reports and are still widely reported in the popular literature.found in warm seas, the tuna is commercially fished extensively as a food fish, and is popular as a bluewater game fish. as a result of overfishing, some tuna species, such as the southern bluefin tuna, are threatened with extinction.

Main

Turtle

Turtles are an order of reptiles known as testudines, characterized by a shell developed mainly from their ribs. modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the side-necked turtles and hidden neck turtles, which differ in the way the head retracts. there are 360 living and recently extinct species of turtles, including land-dwelling tortoises and freshwater terrapins. they are found on most continents, some islands and, in the case of sea turtles, much of the ocean. like other reptiles, birds, and mammals, they breathe air and do not lay eggs underwater, although many species live in or around water. genetic evidence typically places them in close relation to crocodilians and birds. turtle shells are made mostly of bone; the upper part is the domed carapace, while the underside is the flatter plastron or belly-plate. its outer surface is covered in scales made of keratin, the material of hair, horns, and claws. the carapace bones develop from ribs that grow sideways and develop into broad flat plates that join up to cover the body. turtles are ectotherms or "cold-blooded", meaning that their internal temperature varies with their direct environment. they are generally opportunistic omnivores and mainly feed on plants and animals with limited movements. many turtles migrate short distances seasonally. sea turtles are the only reptiles that migrate long distances to lay their eggs on a favored beach. turtles have appeared in myths and folktales around the world. some terrestrial and freshwater species are widely kept as pets. turtles have been hunted for their meat, for use in traditional medicine, and for their shells. sea turtles are often killed accidentally as bycatch in fishing nets. turtle habitats around the world are being destroyed. as a result of these pressures, many species are threatened with extinction.

Main

Vai ika

Tuna cooked in coconut milk, other fish may also be used

Dessert, Sweet

Vai lesi

Pawpaw cooked in coconut milk

Dessert, Sweet

Vai siaine

Banana cooked in coconut milk

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Vegetables

Cabbage (kapisi), carrots, cassava (manioke), corn (koane), hibiscus (la'i pele), onions, pumpkins, spinach (pele), sweet potatoes (kumara and purple varieties), taro greens (lu), taro roots, tomatoes, yam (ufi)

Side, Snack, Appetizer

White yam

Dioscorea alata, also known as purple yam, ube (, ), or greater yam, among many other names, is a species of yam (a tuber). the tubers are usually a vivid violet-purple to bright lavender in color (hence the common name), but some range in color from cream to plain white. it is sometimes confused with taro and the okinawa sweet potato (ipomoea batatas cv. ayamurasaki), although d. alata is also grown in okinawa where it is known as beniimo (紅芋). with its origins in the asian tropics, d. alata has been known to humans since ancient times.

‹ Prev Next ›