How to Lovo 101

Ever wondered how to make a Fijian lovo? Don't know what it is? Well, here's a clue - you get yummy food out of it.

Tarisi Vunidilo teaches a Fiji language and culture class in South Auckland and we joined her while she took her class through a lesson on how to make a Fijian lovo.

The lovo is Fiji's method of earth oven cooking similar to the 'hangi' of Aotearoa or the 'umu' of Samoa. Actually it's pretty much the same across the Pacific only with different names. But, definitely it's an easy and awesome way to cook (especially if you've got lots of people to feed at once).

Tarisi Vunidilo introduces the method and style of a Fijian lovo as practiced in urban Auckland, Aotearoa, today.

Also, check out 'How to make Palusami Fiji Style' also presented by Tarisi.

Tarisi's lovo check list goes like this:

1. Prepare a menu for the number of people (volume of food is important)
2. Lovo consists of - meat, chicken & pork, vegetables; palusami and root crops: dalo, tavioka and kumala.
3. Make sure you have enough firewood, large banana leaves and stones for the lovo pit.
4. Prepare your meat by marinating (overnight) and wrap in foil.
5. Prepare your palusami (see our 'how to make palusami item for more)
6. Peel dalo and cassava ready for the lovo
7. Light the fire for the lovo, enough to heat the stones, then throw the firewood out leaving only the hot stones in the pit.
8. Line the food you are planning to cook, on top of the stones.
9. Food to be covered by green leaves to keep the steam in, then cover with soil (or sacks of potatoes and tarpolin). Food will take 60 - 90 minutes to cook.

Vinaka