Galip nut

Ngali nuts are a Solomon Islands delicacy – the rich, crunchy kernels are eaten raw, roasted over a fire and in traditional puddings.

The galip nut is a tall lowland forest tree reaching 40 m, with buttress roots at the base of the trunk and large, pinnate leaves. Its plum-sized fruits ripen purplish-black and, beneath their thin flesh, hide a very hard shell containing one to three kernels. The kernels are about 70% fat and have a delicate, almond-like flavour. The trees grow wild in the forest but have also been planted for generations in gardens and around villages.

Significance in the country

Ngali is a traditional reserve food and an important trade item: the nuts are cracked with stones, smoked for storage and added to puddings made of taro and cassava. The government and development organisations promote them as an export product that can earn rural communities an income without cutting down the forest.

Where it grows

On all the larger islands – in lowland forests, gardens and around villages; especially common on Malaita, Guadalcanal, in Western Province and on Makira.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl)