Saka Saka with Fish
Saka Saka is a traditional Malian dish made from finely pounded or mashed cassava leaves, often cooked with fish and seasoned with palm oil and aromatic spices. It's a nutritious and flavorful dish, typically served with rice or millet.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Cassava leaves(fresh or frozen, finely pounded or pureed)
- 200 g Smoked fish(cleaned, deboned, and flaked)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(grated)
- 0.25 cup Palm oil(or vegetable oil)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 3 cups Fish stock or water
- 1 small Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper(minced, optional for heat)
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Crayfish powder(optional, for added flavor)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
If using fresh cassava leaves, wash them thoroughly and pound them until very fine using a mortar and pestle, or process in a food processor until smooth. If using frozen, thaw and ensure they are well-pounded or pureed.
- 2
Heat the palm oil (or vegetable oil) in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 5
Add the pounded cassava leaves to the pot. Stir well to combine with the onion mixture.
- 6
Pour in the fish stock or water, and add the flaked smoked fish, minced pepper (if using), salt, black pepper, and crayfish powder (if using). Stir everything together.
- 7
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the cassava leaves are very tender and the flavors have melded. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The consistency should be thick and stew-like.
- 9
Serve hot with rice or millet.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure cassava leaves are pounded or pureed very finely to avoid a stringy texture.
- ✓Smoked fish provides a unique depth of flavor, but can be substituted with other firm white fish.
- ✓If you cannot find palm oil, a good quality vegetable oil can be used, though it will alter the authentic flavor profile slightly.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like diced tomatoes or bell peppers.
- Some variations include adding a small amount of peanut butter for extra richness.