Mumu (A Papua New Guinean Favorite)

Mumu is actually a way in which Papua New Guineans cook. Although now there are ovens available in some households, the cooking mumu style is a tradition that still continues today. The typical mumu is a pit that has fiery hot coals placed inside. Banana leaves are next and then the food. The food is placed with root vegetables and starches like plantains on the bottom, next the meat then the fruit, followed by leafy greens. The whole thing is wrapped up further in banana leaf to make a steamer environment inside the package. Some tribes cover the top with soil and for some that is taboo. Some mumu is cooked dry while others are cooked wet with coconut milk which is how I made this recipe.