How to Make Poi
Peel, pound and partake of the taste of home.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- taro (or dasheen)
- water
- Groceries
- Food Processors
- Kitchen Knives
- Stockpots
- Vegetable Brushes
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1
Buy taro from an Asian grocery store - any kind will do. Sometimes taro is called dasheen.
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2
Scrub the taro corm with a stiff kitchen brush, under running water.
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3
Peel the taro and cut it into 2-by-2-inch pieces. Put it into a big pot and add water to cover.
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4
Bring the water to a simmer and cook until you can pierce the taro with a fork, similar to potatoes boiled for mashing.
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5
Drain the water and let the taro cool to room temperature.
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6
Put it into a food processor with a little water (about a tablespoon) and process until smooth. Now you have poi, but continue on.
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7
Add more water for thin "three-finger poi," whatever consistency you like.
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8
Add just enough water to make a thick poi, the consistency of pudding. This "one-finger poi" is preferred in Hawaii.
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9
Put the poi in a bowl that has been rinsed with water (so the poi doesn't stick). Gently cover the top of the poi with cool water. Let it sit on the counter, covered with a clean lint-free towel, for three days. This step will make the poi a little sour - also preferred in Hawaii.
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1
Tips & Warnings
How do you eat poi? Take a piece of food you like, like roast pork, and add a little poi to the bite. It enhances the flavor of the food. Aloha and have fun making poi!
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Comments
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I love the Hawaiian culture & food - especially poi! I even got stopped by TSA bringing my poi back from Kauai. I usually have a birthday luau, which I am having today - so last night I made fresh poi for the first time. It's not as good as my Hanalei poi - but it is pretty good. Gabe - I didn't know the traditions before, mahalo for sharing.Roots 215 - not knowing too much about poi good to know that it is naturally poisonous raw! ♥ poi!
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This is a great way to throw a Luau.
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Not like you to have bad typo!!
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Sorry for the typos...
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Aloha! "One Finger Poi" and "Three Finger Poi" is consider a "No, no" to my culture. I am Hawaiian and when we were growing up we were to by our Kupuna(Elders) that poi should only be eaten with "two fingers". One finger means that you are "stingy", while three fingers means that you are "greedy". Partaking in poi at a Hawaiian household had ritual and tradtition involved as well. When the bowl of poi was put out on the table all arguments and nonsense stop. The cloth removed and it was served. If a nonsense. etc. arose, the poi was covered. To my culture, Haloa(Kalo or Taro) resides within the bowl of poi. It is said that Haloa is the elder brother of mankind from our Hawaiian ancestors, Hawaiians never fight or argue, etc. in front of any Elder. We always take their lessons and hold it dear to us. Always eat poi with two fingers or a spoon if you are not used to. That is the authentic way, that is the Hawaiian way...Mahalo for your time Hiapo.
