Malawi's Traditional Food
Nsima
In Malawi they have a type of food called nisima. It is like thick dough and is made out of maize flour, this dish is usually eaten with a sauce, made with vegetables, beans or fish. Nsima is the local food, everyone eats it!
What's it made from???
Nsima is made out of maize flour and water.
Nsima is made out of maize flour and water.
Growing it........
Growing the maize for nsima is a family affair. Children will help plant, then tend, pick and process the maize cobs. Once they are ready for harvested, the women and girls will use a wheelbarrow to push the sacks to the nearest maize mill for grinding into flour. Also one large bag of maize will feed a family of ten for two weeks!
Growing the maize for nsima is a family affair. Children will help plant, then tend, pick and process the maize cobs. Once they are ready for harvested, the women and girls will use a wheelbarrow to push the sacks to the nearest maize mill for grinding into flour. Also one large bag of maize will feed a family of ten for two weeks!
Preparation.........
The maize flour is first boiled with water into a porridge. To create a thick paste you use a flat wooden spoon and pull it against the sides of the bowl quickly whilst it sits over the heat. When it is cooked the nsima is portioned by a wooden spoon dipped in water or an oil called a chipande, each of these portions is called an ntanda.
The maize flour is first boiled with water into a porridge. To create a thick paste you use a flat wooden spoon and pull it against the sides of the bowl quickly whilst it sits over the heat. When it is cooked the nsima is portioned by a wooden spoon dipped in water or an oil called a chipande, each of these portions is called an ntanda.
Mealtime!!!
Nsima is usually eaten with two side dishes, a protein source: fish, meat, poultry, groundnuts (peanuts) and beans and a vegetable: cabbage, mustard leaves, amaranth leaves, pumpkin leaves and the often rape leaves.
Nsima is usually eaten with two side dishes, a protein source: fish, meat, poultry, groundnuts (peanuts) and beans and a vegetable: cabbage, mustard leaves, amaranth leaves, pumpkin leaves and the often rape leaves.
Eating Customs
Traditionally diners sit around a table or on the floor surrounding the meal. The diners have to wash their hands as nsima is eaten with bare hands. This is done with a bowl of water. Alternatively the host or one of the younger people there pours water from a jug over the hands of the elders or guests into a bowl. They eat it by taking a small lump into ones right palm, rolling it into a ball, then dipping it into the relish. An indentation in the ball can be made to help scoop the relish or soup. As with many African traditions, age is very important. Washing before the meal, eating, and washing after the meal generally starts with the oldest person, followed by everyone else in turn by age.
Traditionally diners sit around a table or on the floor surrounding the meal. The diners have to wash their hands as nsima is eaten with bare hands. This is done with a bowl of water. Alternatively the host or one of the younger people there pours water from a jug over the hands of the elders or guests into a bowl. They eat it by taking a small lump into ones right palm, rolling it into a ball, then dipping it into the relish. An indentation in the ball can be made to help scoop the relish or soup. As with many African traditions, age is very important. Washing before the meal, eating, and washing after the meal generally starts with the oldest person, followed by everyone else in turn by age.
Fruits
In Malawi they have a lot of mangoes, melons, oranges, bananas and pineapples.
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