Ugandan Garden Egg and Okra Stew (Entula ne'Nnyanya)
A vibrant and flavorful vegetarian stew featuring garden eggs (a type of small eggplant) and okra, simmered with aromatic spices and vegetables. This dish is a delightful representation of Ugandan home cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 6 medium Garden eggs (Entula)(cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup Okra(trimmed and sliced)
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 1 medium Green pepper(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon Curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 cube Royco (optional)(crumbled, for added flavor)
- Salt(to taste)
- 0.5 cup Water(or as needed)
- Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the garden eggs by cutting them into bite-sized pieces and soaking them in salted water for about 10 minutes to reduce bitterness. Drain well.
💡 Tip: Soaking helps to soften the garden eggs and remove any bitterness. - 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and green pepper. Cook until the tomatoes have softened.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 5
Add the curry powder and turmeric powder. If using, crumble in the Royco cube. Stir well to combine with the vegetables.
💡 Tip: Toast the spices for a minute to release their aroma. - 6
Add the drained garden eggs and sliced okra to the pot. Stir gently to coat them with the spice mixture.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to over-stir the okra, which can make it mushy. - 7
Pour in the water, season with salt to taste, and bring the stew to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the garden eggs are tender and the okra is cooked.
⏱️ 20-25 minutes💡 Tip: Add more water if the stew becomes too thick. - 8
Once cooked, adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
💡 Tip: This stew is delicious served with rice, ugali, or sweet potatoes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓To prevent okra from becoming too slimy, you can briefly blanch it before adding it to the stew.
- ✓Adjust the amount of spices to your preference.
- ✓Other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers can be added.
🔄 Variations
- Add a splash of coconut milk for a creamier texture.
- Include a protein like chicken or fish for a non-vegetarian version.