Fa’apapa: A Taste of American Samoa The first time I tasted Fa’apapa, I was sitting on a woven mat under the shade of a sprawling coconut tree in Pago Pago. The warm, slightly sweet bread, studded with fragrant coconut flakes, was a revelation. It wasn’t just a baked good; it was a taste of home, … Read more
Paifala: Savoring American Samoa with Half-Moon Pineapple Pies The scent of baking pineapple always transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. She wasn’t Samoan, but she had a well-worn cookbook filled with recipes from around the world. I remember being particularly fascinated by a photo of golden, crescent-shaped pies nestled amongst tropical flowers. Though she … Read more
Oka Popo: A Taste of American Samoa’s Raw Fish Stew The first time I tasted Oka Popo, I was on a tiny, sun-drenched beach in American Samoa. A local family, noticing my bewildered attempts to navigate the vibrant marketplace, invited me to join their picnic. They offered me a bowl of chilled, milky stew studded … Read more