Konkonte with Garden Egg Stew
A hearty and flavorful Ghanaian dish featuring konkonte (a dense cassava dough) served with a rich and savory garden egg stew, often made with smoked fish and spices.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Cassava flour
- 1 liter Water(for konkonte, plus more as needed)
- 500 g Garden eggs (eggplant)(chopped)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(chopped or crushed)
- 150 g Smoked fish(cleaned and flaked)
- 100 ml Palm oil
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped (optional, adjust to taste))
- to taste Salt
- 1 Bouillon cube(crumbled (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the konkonte: In a pot, bring about 1 liter of water to a boil. Gradually add cassava flour while stirring continuously with a wooden spoon to form a thick, smooth dough. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring and mashing to ensure it's well-cooked and lump-free. Add more hot water if needed to reach desired consistency. Cover and let it steam for a few minutes.
- 2
Make the garden egg stew: Heat palm oil in a separate pot or pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 3
Add grated ginger, minced garlic, and chopped scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they break down and the oil starts to separate, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the flaked smoked fish and crumbled bouillon cube (if using).
- 5
Add the chopped garden eggs to the stew. Stir well to combine. Add a little water if the stew is too thick. Season with salt to taste. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the garden eggs are tender and the stew has thickened.
- 6
Serve the hot konkonte with the garden egg stew on the side.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the cassava flour is well-cooked to avoid a raw taste.
- ✓Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your spice preference.
- ✓Smoked fish adds a distinct flavor; if unavailable, other dried or smoked fish can be used, or omit for a vegetarian version.
- ✓Garden eggs can be substituted with regular eggplant, but cooking time may vary.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or okra to the stew.
- Include some cooked meat or chicken alongside the smoked fish.
- Serve with a side of shito for extra spice.