Got Matoke?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE food! Honestly, I’m probably the most un-picky eater on the face of the Earth (not an exaggeration)! I will try any kind of food and usually like it. That being said, a new culture brings many different foods, and East Africa is a literal buffet! Of course the team is desperately missing San Diego’s local taco shops and we can’t wait to have Japanese food soon (sushi especially)! However, we have eaten well on our trip and have been offered a wonderful variety of new and delicious foods.

When our adventure began in Mombasa, most of the food we ate included Indian dishes: spicy curries (some vegetarian, some with meat or fish), rice, and chapati.  Moving into Nairobi brought more traditional African dishes like ugali, mukimo, and greens.  Traveling through Uganda has brought their staple food–matoke!  They sometimes eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner here!  “Tea time” is also a must here in Africa.  Tea can be offered and enjoyed anytime during the day or night.  (As crazy as it sounds, I haven’t even missed my cafe lattes…yet)!

African Food Vocabulary (Please forgive any misspellings):

chapati-a flat bread (similar to a tortilla)

naan-another type of flat bread (Indian)

mukimo-mashed potatoes with greens (for color and flavor) and whole kernel corn

fresh fruit–papaya, pineapple, mango, banana, passion fruit, jack fruit, watermelon

ugali (AKA posho)–a stiff maize porridge

matoke–mashed plantains (staple food of Uganda)

ground nut sauce-ground peanuts usually served over matoke or cassava (a root typically steamed, boiled, or made into chips)

nyama choma–roasted meats

porridge–breakfast food prepared different ways, i.e. oatmeal or cream of wheat

dessert-not common like we are used to in the states (bummer!)-usually fruit is served for dessert

tea-served anytime of day-alone, with biscuits (cookies), bread or other snacks and almost always served with hot milk (adopted from the British) and sugar

Bon Appetit!  (Not sure how to say it in Swahili or Luganda yet…I will find out!)

~Kelli/Ms. Flandi