Somali Pasta Sauce
- Soomaali
- Suugo Suqaar
- Français
- Sauce Somali pour les pâtes
- العربية
- not translated yet
By Leila & Abdullahi · ·
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 be served with the meal. It becomes an all-in-one dish. The second reason was a matter of necessity, since there weren’t many facilities for grinding meat.
In Somalia, making pasta sauce was an every day affair. Shopping was done in the morning for that day’s meal. In the market you would buy a piece of meat wrapped in a newspaper, from 1/4 lb. to 1 lb., depending on the size of your family. You would also buy the fresh tomatoes. The tomatoes were not sold by weight; you would find them in piles of 4 or 5 tomatoes. The tomato paste was sold by spoonfuls and you would buy 1 teaspoon of tomato paste also wrapped in a piece of newspaper. Next you would shop for onions. Can’t afford a full onion? No problem! You can buy half an onion or even a quarter of an onion.
Usually fresh tomatoes are used but we wanted to make a version with canned tomatoes for those times when tomatoes are not in season. What distinguishes the Somali pasta sauce from its Italian counterpart is the use of Xawaash, which is the Somali spice mix.
Watch
Ingredients
1 cup = 237 mL · 1 Tbsp = 15 mL · 1 tsp = 5 mL. All are level measurements.
Method
Tap a step to mark it done.
In a food processor or blender, blend the onions, green pepper, and garlic.
Heat the olive oil in a pot set over medium-high heat. Add the blended vegetables and cook for 2 minutes, then add the cubed beef. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
After all the moisture is absorbed, add the xawaash and brown the meat for 2 minutes, then add the diced tomatoes and the tomato paste.
Stir well, then add the vegetable seasoning and the sugar. The sugar helps cut down the acidity of the tomatoes.
Cover the pot and cook for 45 minutes on medium-low heat.
When the sauce has reduced and the oil starts to surface, add the chopped cilantro and the ground black pepper.
Comments
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Masha’Allah TabarakaAllah I accidentally found this website no matter were we from food always unites us.barakatahu fikum to the establishers of this amaizing website much Lobe from Ethiopia
Could you please help an inform what is Xawaash? And, if I can’t get in Germany, how to subsitute it?
Xawaash is a Somali spice mix (Krautermischung). You will not find it in Germany, but there is a video posted where the ingredients and instruction of how to make the spice mix are available.
asalamu alikum warahmutuallahi wabaraktu . Do I use 2 794ml can of tomatoe or just 1.
It’s hard to find beef cubes how much ground beef would Substitute ?
Wa’alaikum Assalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Yes, use two cans.
Replying to UmmA
You can use the same amount of ground beef.
asc masha allh walalayaal ad ayan uga fa idaysty anigoo u bhn inan brto cuno krnta ayn hly ciwan i cawiya thnkz all qorysha cuntada …………
Waa ku mahadsan tahay faalladaada wacan.
Asalama aleykum,
Can you specify the kinds of xawaash you’re using? I’m assuming it’s curry and cumin powder but I’m not sure. Thanks for all the help! May Allah reward you guys!
Here is a link on how to make xawaash /recipes/xawaash-somali-spice-mix/. Thank you very much for the comment and prayers. God bless you.