I’ve mentioned a variety of foods here and there, but now it’s time to introduce you to a Zambian feast! As Thanksgiving approaches in the States, your minds are probably thinking about all of the delicious foods you will be consuming. What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? While you think of American favorites, I want to share with you some of Zambia’s staples.
For breakfast, the average Zambian will eat porridge. Their porridge is made from Mealie Meal, finely ground maize. Lunch is served with nshima, made again from Mealie Meal until it is like a play-doh-like consistency, and some sort of relish. Relish here is really just a cooked leafy green. Sometimes it is cooked cabbage, spinach, rapeseed leaves, or something else. There is also usually a sauce (soup in Zambia) made of tomato and onion. Dinner is very similar to lunch in having nshima, relish, soup, and will sometimes include a meat such as chicken, goat, beef, or fish.
Last week, my friend (and current housemate) Agness and I, were invited to our neighbor’s house for dinner. Instead of a small, normal dinner, we were welcomed with a feast! There was nshima, goat, beef, chicken, sausage, fish, about five different relishes, chips, coleslaw, cucumbers, and more things that I have probably forgotten about! Zambian hospitality is really a humbling and beautiful part of their culture. They will welcome you with open arms and make you leave with full stomachs!
Those are a few of the staples in Zambian cooking! All of it is delicious, filling, and surrounded with tradition and love. Stay tuned for another update in a few months about some more delicacies that may or may not include creepy crawlies...