Traditional Plain Zimbabwean Sadza Recipe

Sadza is the most common food, a nationwide staple, in Zimbabwe. Almost every household partakes daily of sadza nenyama nemuriwo (pap, meat and leafy vegetables) during lunch and dinner times. Newborn babies in Zimbabwe, when they are ready to take solid foods, a most often given Sadza to eat first.

Sadza with Fish (Photo Attributed to Author: Simz711)

Traditional Plain Zimbabwean Sadza Recipe-

Ingredients:

3 heaping cups of “mealie-meal” (cornmeal) plus some more, as needed
1 cup cold water
24 oz. boiling water

Directions:

Have 24 oz. of water boiling on the stove.
Put the mealie-meal in a large cooking pot. Add in 1 cup of cold water, and stir vigorously to make a paste.
Place the pot on the stove over high heat, and add boiling water while constantly stirring.
Keep adding and stirring until the entire mixture is boiling. Reduce the heat to just a lively simmer. Place the lid on the pot, and gently cook for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes has elapsed, take off the lid, and add more mealie-meal, little by little. This is a crucial step in the preparation. You want to achieve a very thick, pasty-porridge consistency.
When it’s just about at the consistency you desire, cover the pot again, and allow it to simmer for about another 5 minutes.
Your all done! Simple and easy, your Zimbabwean sadza is ready to eat. Serve with any of your preferred Zimbabwean side dishes.

Note: For many more delicious, authentic and traditional recipes from Africa, click here.