Dish of Kachumbari Salad
(click to enlarge)

Kachumbari Salad


East Africa, Tanzania   -   Kachumbari
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 1-3/4 #
**
1 hr
Most		 Kachumbari type salads are very popular in Tanzania and neighboring countries of East Africa. It is served along side rice dishes, roasted bananas, barbecued meats and other dishes.
The name comes from Kachumber, a Tomato and Cucumber salad in India. This is a good party salad as it won't wilt, but see Comments.

1
8
4
3
1/4
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3
2
1
1
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#
oz
oz
oz
c
---
T
T

t
---

Tomatoes, ripe
Cucumbers (1)  
Cabbage, green
Onion, red
Cilantro Leaves
-- Dressing
Lime Juice
Olive Oil ExtV
Habanero (2)
Salt
---------------
MAKE   -   (25 min + cooling time)
  1. Cut TOMATOES into thin strips. Cut CUCUMBERS into thin strips about 1-1/2 inches long. Mix and set aside in a bowl to drain.
  2. Shred CABBAGE fine. Quarter ONION lengthwise and slice thin crosswise. Mix.
  3. Chop CILANTRO coarse.
  4. Drain any liquid from Tomato mix. Place all Salad items in a large mixing bowl and tumble gently.
  5. Squeeze LIME JUICE. Cap and Core HABANERO, and chop very fine. Mix all Dressing items in a small jar.
  6. Shake Dressing vigorously, pour over salad and tumble lightly.
  7. If you have time, place the salad in the fridge for about 30 minutes to cool and blend flavors.
  8. Serve cool or cold.
NOTES:

  1. Cucumbers:

      If at all possible, use small cucumbers that don't need to be peeled or seeded, such as Persian, Japanese or European. If you have only the standard waxed green blimps, peel them and seed them, then measure out the given weight.

  2. Habanero Chili:

      Habaneros / Scotch Bonnets are now the dominant hot chilis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Just one, capped and cored, will provide this salad a very modest sharpness, but if you have doubts, replace it with some ground black pepper.

  3. Comments:

      If you are making this salad far ahead or there will be long sitting time, you may want to salt the Cucumbers after cutting, let them sit for at least 30 minutes, then rinse and drain well before mixing with other ingredients. Note that this dish is often made with all the ingredients diced, except Cabbage, more like a coarse salsa, as Kachumber would be made in India.
  4. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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