Hainan Coconut Boat

Hainan Coconut Boat

　　Features: The Hainan Coconut Boat, also known as the "Pearl Willow Boat," is a traditional snack from the Qionghai and Wenchang areas of Hainan. It is made by stuffing glutinous rice and seasonings into a fresh coconut and cooking it, giving it a strong coconut village aroma. It is generally only popular among local people in coconut-growing regions and is sold by only a few restaurants.

　　Ingredients: 1000 grams of glutinous rice, 1 coconut, 200 grams of white sugar, 200 grams of light fresh milk (boiling water can be used as a substitute)

　　Preparation:

　　1. Wash the glutinous rice, soak it for several hours, then drain the water and let it dry before use.

　　2. Take a fresh, tender coconut filled with white pulp, peel off the outer husk and hard shell, remove the whole flesh pulp, make a small cut at the top and leave the lid, pour out the coconut water, fill the coconut shell with glutinous rice, add white sugar and fresh coconut juice, pour in light fresh milk (or boiling water), seal the coconut lid tightly, place it in a pot of water (making sure no water seeps into the coconut shell), cover, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about 3–4 hours until the glutinous rice is fully cooked and expanded, then remove.

　　3. After the cooked glutinous rice in the coconut shell has cooled naturally, untie the binding, cut it open with a knife, and slice it straight into several boat-shaped pieces that are pointed at both ends and wide in the middle. Arrange on a plate to serve.

　　Characteristics: The coconut flesh and glutinous rice are tightly combined, with a clean white color, translucent and glossy, resembling pearls (hence the alternative name "Pearl Coconut Boat"). The texture is a mix of firm and soft, crispy and cake-like. Savor it slowly—rich in coconut aroma, sweet and refreshing.