Saka Saka with Smoked Fish
Saka Saka is a flavorful dish made from pounded cassava leaves, often cooked with smoked fish and a blend of aromatic vegetables and spices. It's a nutrient-rich and deeply satisfying West African staple.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Cassava leaves(fresh or frozen, finely pounded or processed into a paste)
- 1 lb Smoked fish(cleaned, deboned, and flaked (e.g., tilapia, catfish))
- 0.5 cup Palm oil
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(fresh, minced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(or habanero, finely minced (optional, for heat))
- 4 cups Fish stock or water
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 1 optional Stock cube
- 1 tbsp Crayfish powder(optional, for added flavor)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
If using fresh cassava leaves, wash them thoroughly and pound them until they form a smooth paste. If using frozen, thaw and drain them. If using pre-pounded cassava leaves, proceed to the next step.
💡 Tip: Pounding cassava leaves can be done using a mortar and pestle or a food processor. - 2
Heat the palm oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down.
- 4
Add the flaked smoked fish, pounded cassava leaves, fish stock (or water), salt, optional stock cube, and optional crayfish powder. If using, add the minced Scotch bonnet pepper for heat.
💡 Tip: Ensure the smoked fish is well cleaned and deboned to avoid any bones in the final dish. - 5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the cassava leaves are tender and the oil has risen to the surface. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
💡 Tip: The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld and the more tender the cassava leaves become. - 6
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If the saka saka is too thick, add a little more stock or water. If it's too thin, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce.
💡 Tip: The consistency should be thick but spoonable. - 7
Serve hot, traditionally with boiled rice, fufu, or pounded yam.
💡 Tip: Saka Saka is often served as a main dish.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cassava leaves can be toxic if not prepared properly. Ensure they are thoroughly cooked.
- ✓If you cannot find smoked fish, you can use fresh fish, but the flavor will be different.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili pepper to your spice preference.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like spinach or okra.
- Use different types of smoked fish.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the fish and use vegetable stock.