Zijjo zaa Gelle (Corn Grits) is a staple in Brava, Somalia. The Bravanese are known for maanda or muufo Baraawe (Bravanese bread), but this is the main dish served for the midday meal. Unlike soor (polenta-style grits) that is popular in other parts of Somalia, these grits are light and fluffy just like couscous. However,… Continue reading Somali Corn Grits (Soor Furfur ah) (Zijjo zaa Gelle) Semoule de Maïs Somali
Tag: African
Somali Pasta Sauce (Suugo Suqaar) Sauce Somali pour les pâtes
The traditional Somali Pasta Sauce is prepared with beef cut into very small cubes instead of ground beef. There were two main reasons for this. First and foremost, it was because of home economics. When the family members are served pasta with a meat sauce that they chew, they won’t need another meat dish to… Continue reading Somali Pasta Sauce (Suugo Suqaar) Sauce Somali pour les pâtes
Mahamri (Qamdi) Pain Frit Sucré الباخمري
This triangular Sweet Fried Bread, known as Qamdi in Somalia, is similar to a doughnut but is less sweet. In cities across Somalia, qamdi as well as bur (Fry Dough) are common fare served in food stalls in marketplaces, in eateries spread along main thoroughfares, and is sold by street vendors. Qamdi originated in… Continue reading Mahamri (Qamdi) Pain Frit Sucré الباخمري
Sweet Potatoes (Bataato Macaan) Patates Douces
If you are going to have a dessert that has butter and sugar, you might as well have this dessert. At least the other half of the dessert (the sweet potato) is nutritious. Sweet potatoes pack more nutrition than most other vegetables. They are high in fibre, protein, and complex carbohydrates. They are also delicious… Continue reading Sweet Potatoes (Bataato Macaan) Patates Douces
Somali Style Lamb Liver, Heart, & Kidneys (Beer iyo Kilyo La Solay)
It’s not uncommon for a Somali to start a letter as follows: Waxaan kuusoo diraayaa salaan kasoo go’day beerka iyo wadnaha. Literal translation: I am sending you greetings that have emanated from my liver and heart! Actual translation: Greetings from the depths of my heart. For Somalis, it’s not just the heart that flutters… Continue reading Somali Style Lamb Liver, Heart, & Kidneys (Beer iyo Kilyo La Solay)
Fried Shark with Caramelized Onions (Malaay La Shiilay) Mpaampa
Nowadays, sharks are under tremendous threat from commercial over-fishing and the cruel practice of harvesting their prized fins (shark finning). With shark finning, the shark is discarded after its dorsal fin is cut off and it is left to die. These practices have to be stopped, but it has to be done in a sensible… Continue reading Fried Shark with Caramelized Onions (Malaay La Shiilay) Mpaampa
Somali Champagne -Simulated Camel Milk (Caano Geel) Champagne Somali
The Horn of Africa boasts the largest number of camels in the world. Camels have been domesticated in Somalia for more than 2000 years. In an article in Aramco World, the Somali camel has been described as follows: “The Somali camels seem by far the most regal, and they are the most expensive. Looking… Continue reading Somali Champagne -Simulated Camel Milk (Caano Geel) Champagne Somali
Kingfish (Taraaqad) Thazard (Nguurhu)
When a society has many names for something, it shows the value they attach to it. The Bravanese have more than 200 names for fish, and this attests to its importance in their daily lives. Fish plays a central role in the Bravanese diet. It is served for breakfast, lunch, and supper. However, it is… Continue reading Kingfish (Taraaqad) Thazard (Nguurhu)
Handmade Pasta (Kalaamuddo) Pâtes Fraîches Maison (Galaamuddo)
The Chinese have their noodles, the Italians have their pasta, and while they argue about who came up with the idea first, let me tell you about Galaamuddo or Kalaamuddo as some call it. Galaamuddo is somewhat reminiscent of the Italian pasta known as Pici, but there are differences. The Bravanese (Brava, Somalia) mix broth… Continue reading Handmade Pasta (Kalaamuddo) Pâtes Fraîches Maison (Galaamuddo)