Ifisashi is a comforting Zambian vegetable dish in which leafy greens simmer with tomatoes, onions, and groundnuts.
A slow simmer keeps the greens tender while peanut butter turns the cooking liquid into a savoury, lightly thick sauce.
Add the peanut butter after the greens have softened and loosen it with warm broth for a smooth sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Ifisashi with warm nshima, the soft maize porridge traditionally used to scoop up the stew.
Recipe Notes
Collard greens, pumpkin leaves, or kale all work well. Refrigerate the stew for up to 4 days and reheat with a splash of water.
Zambian Ifisashi with Nshima
Tender leafy greens simmered with tomatoes and peanut butter, served with soft Zambian nshima.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Cook Ifisashi:
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
- Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring until the tomatoes begin to break down.
- Add the greens, broth, and salt. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes, stirring once or twice, until tender.
- Whisk the peanut butter with 1/2 cup of the hot broth from the pan, then stir it back into the greens. Simmer uncovered for 8 minutes until thick and glossy.
Make Nshima:
- Bring 3 cups of the water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Whisk the remaining 1 cup water into 1 cup of the maize meal, then whisk this slurry into the saucepan.
- Cook for 5 minutes, stirring until smooth. Add the remaining maize meal gradually, stirring firmly, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until thick enough to hold its shape.
Serve:
- Spoon the nshima onto plates and serve with the hot Ifisashi alongside.
Nutrition
Notes
- Natural peanut butter gives the cleanest savoury flavour; stir it well before measuring.
- If the greens are very mature, add 5 to 10 minutes to the covered simmer.
