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'Otai
Tongan watermelon and coconut cooler
'Otai is the drink of the Tongan summer, ladled from big bowls at church feasts, weddings and beach picnics around Tongatapu. Watermelon is grated or mashed into chunky pulp and mixed with coconut milk, a little sugar and lots of ice; some families add grated mango or pineapple. It is drunk and eaten at the same time, with pieces of fruit in every glass. A common mistake is blending it smooth; it should be pulpy. Chef's tip: grate the melon on the coarse side of a box grater straight into the bowl to catch all the juice.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 3 ⅓ lb ripe watermelon fleshseeds removed
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 3 tbsp sugarto taste
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 ⅛ lb ice cubes
- 5 ½ oz pineapple (optional)grated
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Grate the 3 ⅓ lb ripe watermelon flesh on a coarse grater into a large bowl, or mash with a potato masher, keeping it chunky.
10 minStep 2: Stir in 1 cup coconut milk, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 cup cold water and 5 ½ oz pineapple if using, until the sugar dissolves.
3 minStep 3: Add 1 ⅛ lb ice cubes and serve straight away in tall glasses with spoons.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 160 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 22 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does 'Otai take?
- About 15 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of coconut milk?
- Single cream, same amount (not dairy free).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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