“The traditional name for our town, Cabarita, translates to ‘place of many pipis’,” says Devlin. “They aren’t as abundant here as they once were, but there’s a company close by that is producing them, so they’re something we’d like to serve as much as possible, as a reference to our place here. This works best dropped straight onto coals or a grill, but you could, at a pinch, use a pot instead of the coconut and do it on the stove.”
Ingredients
Method
Main
1.Start your wood fire and burn down until just ashed over, or heat a gas barbecue to high.
2.Using a heavy knife or cleaver (that you might not mind being damaged), cut a ring through the fibrous layer around the middle of each coconut. Working over a deep tray or bowl to catch the water, firmly tap the heel of the cleaver with a small sturdy saucepan into the cut at 2cm intervals all the way around each coconut to open. Strain water and set aside, then scoop out flesh with a large spoon and slice into 1cm strips.
3.Divide herb stems, chilli, ginger, shallot, coconut oil, fish sauce and palm sugar among the bottom halves of the coconuts (discard tops). Add a squeeze of lime juice to each, top with coconut flesh, pipis and a little coconut water and mix to combine. Transfer coconuts to the barbecue, cover with a lid or large metal bowl and grill until pipis open (8-10 minutes). Scatter with herbs and extra chilli, and serve with lime wedges.
