Bowl of Sukuma Wiki
(click to enlarge)

Sukuma Wiki, Greens


Africa, Tanzania / Kenya / Uganda   -   Sukuma Wiki
Serves:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 5 side
**
1-1/4 hrs
Yes		 This dish goes by the name of the greens it's made from, Sukuma Wiki, Swahili for "Push the Week". The name comes from stretching the weekly food budget.
Sukuma Wiki is extremely popular in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and is one of the most pleasing Kale recipes you'll likely find. See also Comments and Variations.

1
8
8
1-1/2
1/2
1
1
1-1/2
#
oz
oz
T
T
c
t
T
Kale (1)
Tomatoes
Onion
Olive Oil
Curry Powder (2)  
Water
Salt
Lemon Juice
Prep   -   (40 min)
  1. Rinse KALE. Remove large stems and cut into narrow strips about 1 inch long.
  2. Scald TOMATOES one minute in boiling water. Quench in cold water and peel. Chop medium.
  3. Dice ONION about 3/8 inch.
  4. Squeeze LEMON JUICE.
Run   -   (30 min)
  1. In a coverable wok or spacious sauté pan, heat Oil. Stir in Onions and fry stirring until threatening to color.
  2. Stir in Curry Powder for 30 seconds, then stir in Tomatoes. Cook covered, stirring now and then until Tomatoes are well softened (10 minutes).
  3. Stir in Kale and Salt until well distributed, then stir in Water. Bring to a boil and cook covered, stirring now and then, until Kale is tender (about 15 minutes).
  4. Stir in Lemon Juice and take off the heat.
  5. Serve warm with Ugali, Chapatis or Rice.
NOTES:

  1. Kale:

      Use Tuscan Kale or a similar flat leaf variety if possible. The standard greens in East Africa are Sukuma Wiki, described in African agricultural articles as varieties of Kale. The translation "Collard Greens" may be correct in Africa, but they are not the Collard Greens of North America - they are more tender and wrinkly, and cook much more quickly. North American Collard Greens came from Scotland, and you have to be really tough to be a leafy green in Scotland. In Africa, cassava leaves, pumpkin leaves and sweet potato leaves are sometimes used for this dish. For details see our Cabbage, Mustard, Turnip & Radish Greens page.

  2. East African Curry Powder:

      You can easily make a very tasty Curry Powder by our recipe East African Curry Powder. You could also use a Madras style powder (Ship or Sun brand), but I recommend the above mix in this recipe.

  3. Comments:

      This recipe is very easy to make - except cutting the Kale can be tedious - but you can do that a day ahead, bag it and refrigerate. It's easier in East Africa where the kale is flat with very broad leaves. Strangely, there is a Bantu tribe named Sukuma in northern Tanzania, but in the region's Bantu dialect it means "people of the north".

  4. Variations:

  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
qsv_sukum1 180917 inet var   -   www.clovegarden.com
©Andrew Grygus - agryg@aaxnet.com - Linking to and non-commercial use of this page is permitted.