Pom is a centerpiece of Surinamese celebrations, combining grated pomtajer root with chicken and a savory-sweet citrus sauce before baking.
The chicken is browned first, then its cooking liquid is mixed through the pomtajer so the casserole stays moist beneath its deeply colored top.
Use frozen grated pomtajer from a Caribbean or Surinamese grocer and thaw it fully before mixing.
Serving Suggestions
Serve pom with white rice, cucumber relish, green beans, or crusty bread.
Recipe Notes
Pom keeps for up to four days refrigerated and reheats well, covered, in a moderate oven.
Surinamese Pom
A celebratory Surinamese casserole of grated pomtajer and citrus-seasoned chicken baked until deeply golden.
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven
- 9-by-13-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Chef’s knife
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into large irregular pieces
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 2 medium yellow onions chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken stock
Pom Mixture
- 3 lb frozen grated pomtajer thawed
- 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp fine salt or to taste
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
Instructions
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat oven to 375 F (190 C). Season chicken with salt, pepper, and allspice. Brown it in oil in batches and set aside.
- Cook onions and celery until soft, add garlic and tomato paste, then stir in stock. Simmer 5 minutes and return chicken to the pot for 10 minutes.
Mix and Bake:
- Combine pomtajer, orange juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, and most of the chicken cooking liquid. The mixture should be thick but spoonable.
- Spread half the pom mixture in a buttered baking dish, arrange chicken irregularly over it, and cover with the remaining pom. Dot with butter.
- Bake for 75 to 90 minutes until set, moist inside, and broadly browned on top. Rest 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Pomtajer is not interchangeable with raw taro; use a product specifically sold for Surinamese pom.
- If the mixture seems stiff before baking, add a little more chicken cooking liquid.
Nutrition
Calories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 34gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 780mgFiber: 6gSugar: 20g