Answer: POI

Poi is a Polynesian staple food made from the pounded corm of the taro plant. It is typically prepared by first cooking the taro root, then mashing or pounding it into a smooth and thick paste. Poi has a slightly sour taste and a sticky consistency, often served as a side dish or used as a base for other dishes in Polynesian cuisine.

Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Pounded taro dish. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.