Kapenta with Sadza
A traditional Zimbabwean dish from the Lake Kariba region, featuring small dried fish (kapenta) simmered in a tomato and onion relish, served alongside a thick maize porridge known as sadza. It's a hearty, nutritious, and flavorful meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200 g Dried kapenta
- 3 medium Tomatoes
- 1 medium Onion
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 cups Maize meal (fine)
- 4 cups Water
- to taste Salt
- 1 small Chili pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Sadza: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Gradually whisk in the maize meal, starting with about half a cup, to form a smooth, thin porridge. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to whisk or stir vigorously with a wooden spoon, gradually adding the remaining maize meal. Stir continuously for about 15-20 minutes, until the sadza thickens to a stiff, smooth consistency. It should pull away from the sides of the pot. Cover and keep warm over very low heat.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Sauté Aromatics: While the sadza is cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a separate saucepan or skillet over medium heat (around 180°C / 350°F). Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. If using, add the chopped chili pepper and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 3
Cook Tomatoes: Add the chopped or pureed tomatoes to the saucepan with the onions. Stir well and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and the sauce has thickened slightly. You should see the oil start to separate from the tomato mixture.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Add Kapenta: Gently add the rinsed and drained dried kapenta to the tomato and onion mixture. Stir carefully to combine, ensuring the fish is coated with the relish. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the kapenta to soften slightly. Taste and add salt if necessary, keeping in mind the kapenta might already be salty.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 5
Serve: To serve, scoop a generous portion of the hot sadza onto each plate. Ladle the kapenta relish over the sadza. This dish is best enjoyed immediately.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Rinsing the dried kapenta is crucial to remove excess salt and any grit. Soaking can help if they are particularly dry or salty.
- ✓Stirring the sadza constantly is key to achieving a smooth, lump-free texture. Use a sturdy wooden spoon.
- ✓The consistency of sadza can be adjusted by adding more maize meal for a stiffer porridge or a little more water for a softer one.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili pepper to your spice preference.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a tablespoon of peanut butter towards the end of cooking the kapenta relish for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Incorporate leafy greens like spinach or rape leaves into the relish during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
- Some variations include adding a pinch of curry powder for a different flavor profile.