Oko-oko is prepared with a specific type of sea urchins calledtehe'-tehe'(also transcribed astehe-tehe). The spines are first scraped off and the entrails removed through a small hole at the bottom. The ediblegonadsare retained. Uncooked rice mixed with spices and various ingredients are then poured into the hole. The hole is plugged withpandanorcoconutleaves. It is then boiled whole until the rice is cooked. Oko-oko is eaten by cracking the shell and peeling it like a hard-boiled egg. The compacted rice inside with the salty sea urchin gonads are eaten directly while held, similar toleaf-wrapped rice cakes.[3][4][5]
