Sadza is a Zimbabwean staple food prepared using millet, maize, or cassava flour. The dish is not only loved in Zimbabwe but also across Africa and beyond. It’s easy and straightforward preparations make it one of the go-to meal when you don’t have time for lengthy recipes. One big issue to deal with, however, is handling the leftovers.
The good news is that you can prepare other mouthwatering delicacies with your Sadza leftovers. Making use of these tricks will help you not only survive but also save more on flour during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before we delve into our Sadza recipe, let’s have a look at Zimbabwean culture.
Zimbabwean Dining Culture
Zimbabwe is a home of over 16 million people. The nation has over 16 official languages, and different ethnic communities, a reason behind the diverse culinary art experienced here.
Like most African countries, Zimbabwe relies majorly on staple food. Maize, millet and sorghum are the popular grain majorly consumed. Rice is also grown, but it’s not popularly consumed as compared to the grains.
Meat from goat, ox or cow may be stewed or roasted on special occasions.
Some food taboos are practiced with severe health consequences. Consuming meat from one’s totem is a taboo. Eggs were also believed to cause infertility among women, but slowly people are dropping this taboo.
Food is eaten with the right hand. However, in case a guest is left-handed, he or she should sit on the left side of the dining table. Guests are not allowed to start eating before the host enjoys the first bite of the food.
Chewing food is done with etiquette. Making loud noises while eating or talking while your mouth is full is a sign of greediness and is an insult to the host.
[bctt tweet=”in Zimbabwe, talking or making sound when chewing food is an insult to the host”]
Now, off from cultural matters to our today’s recipe.
Ingredients
3 cups of millet flour
41/2 cups of water
1 tbsp Blue band
Guide
- Bring your water to boil
- Add a tablespoon of the Blue band and wait for it to melt
- Add your flour and stir until you get a consistent thick dough-like mixture
- Cook it for 10 minutes while turning it in intervals
- Shape your Sadza into a round shape with your wooden spoon and transfer it into a bowl
- Enjoy with sour milk, greens, chicken stew, beef stew or fried eggs
It’s common to have leftovers. In case you do, do not throw them. Below, is how to repurpose them back for another round of tasty Sadza.
Recook them
Before re-using your Sadza leftovers, make sure you have covered them to avoid any contamination by following this procedure.
- Boil water in a cooking pot
- As your water boils, cut your leftovers into small pieces and add to the boiling water
- Let them cook for about five minutes then add your flour
- Stir to make your Sadza
Sadza Fries
What you need
- Bread crumbs
- Salt
- Eggs
Procedure
- Beat your eggs in a bowl. Add salt and stir to mix
- Cut your Sadza into long strips and dip them into the eggs
- Put your bread crumbs in a large bowl
- Remove each piece and transfer them into the bowl containing bread crumbs ensuring every piece is adequately covered
- Heat cooking oil in a pan and deep fry your Sadza pieces
- Enjoy with tea in the morning
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