Popular Dishes
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Nshima
Nshima is the basis of life, and is eaten with every meal. In fact, it is valued so much that a meal is considered incomplete without nshima. It is made of ground cassava or corn flour, that is cooked with hot water until it becomes thick. The end product resembles mashed potatoes.
For instance, a Zambian child can be given pizza or rice in substitute for nshima. If they are asked the following day whether they had dinner- they would insist they did not eat. This is simply because they are not used to eating anything else for dinner besides nshima.
Nshima is the basis of life, and is eaten with every meal. In fact, it is valued so much that a meal is considered incomplete without nshima. It is made of ground cassava or corn flour, that is cooked with hot water until it becomes thick. The end product resembles mashed potatoes.
For instance, a Zambian child can be given pizza or rice in substitute for nshima. If they are asked the following day whether they had dinner- they would insist they did not eat. This is simply because they are not used to eating anything else for dinner besides nshima.
Relishes
Nshima is always consumed with a relish, which is simply a side dish. It can be a vegetable, meat, or beans. Kapenta: Small freshwater sardines that are fried or boiled. Often cooked with groundnuts, tomato, onion and salt. Rape: One of the most commonly consumed vegetables. Collard greens are often boiled. Vegetable oil, tomato, onion and salt are added for taste. |
Katapa: Boiled cassava leaves that are cooked with groundnuts, tomatoes, onions, salt and oil. Is a common side dish eaten with nshima.
Chibwabwa: Boiled pumpkin leaves cooked with groundnuts, tomatoes, onions, salt and oil. Eaten with nshima.
Holidays
Christmas is celebrated nationwide, but is not as hyped up as it is in the United States. There is no significant difference in meals. Christmas, birthdays and New Years celebrations are out of the question when one is barely making ends meet. It is almost as if they do not celebrate.
Chicken is a common relish that is fried or boiled for a Christmas meal. Rice may be substituted for nshima in rural areas, as it is more expensive.
Goats, chicken and beef are consumed in weddings. Also, funerals in Zambia are huge gatherings where a lot of meat will be consumed as well. It is considered a special act to prepare chicken for your guests at home. This indicates meats economic value, it is expensive for many families- therefore a special occasion.
Chibwabwa: Boiled pumpkin leaves cooked with groundnuts, tomatoes, onions, salt and oil. Eaten with nshima.
Holidays
Christmas is celebrated nationwide, but is not as hyped up as it is in the United States. There is no significant difference in meals. Christmas, birthdays and New Years celebrations are out of the question when one is barely making ends meet. It is almost as if they do not celebrate.
Chicken is a common relish that is fried or boiled for a Christmas meal. Rice may be substituted for nshima in rural areas, as it is more expensive.
Goats, chicken and beef are consumed in weddings. Also, funerals in Zambia are huge gatherings where a lot of meat will be consumed as well. It is considered a special act to prepare chicken for your guests at home. This indicates meats economic value, it is expensive for many families- therefore a special occasion.