The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Malawian Foods. If you manage to be in an Malawian restaurant or you are visiting Malawi, I recommend the following
1. Kachumbari
This style of salad is made from raw onions that need to be diced, which are very important in the dish. They are also seasoned with pepper, tomatoes and salt, often topped with goat or beef. In some coastal areas rice pilaf is added.
2. Mbatata
Malawi’s snacks and desserts don’t really stand out, but when they get down to the nitty-gritty, the results are always delicious and nutritious. They are biscuits made from sweet potato, margarine, milk and sugar. Sometimes cinnamon is added for flavor. When the orange biscuits have cooled, sprinkle them with sugar and cinnamon and serve.
3. Chambo
Chambo is a very valuable edible fish that is endemic to Lake Malawi and plays a very important role in the economy and food culture of the lake communities. However, this fish is listed as an endangered species. Chambo is one of the Malawians’ favorite fish, traditionally used to entertain guests, along with nsima, a dish made from maize or rice flour.
4. Burgundy Wheat Salad
This wheat and tomato salad, also known as Kisir salad in the Middle East, is a tabbouleh-style salad. There are many varieties depending on the country, but this salad is always based on wheat and tomatoes, which give it its distinctive reddish hue.
5. Cecina
Cecina is a method of drying or preserving meat. Different types of meat are used in cooking, from beef to game such as ostrich or kudu. The cuts can also be different, the filet can be cut into strips along the muscle or cut along the muscle.
6. Ntotchi
Ntotchi is a popular bread in northern Malawi. It is made from mashed bananas, sugar, flour, eggs, milk and yeast. It is baked in long molds for one hour and is ready to use after cooling. Ntotchi is one of Malawi’s favorite dishes. It is often served as a dessert on special occasions.
7. Jollof Rice
There are many variations of this rice stew from different places where they like to stew. The usual main ingredients are rice, tomato paste, tomatoes, green pepper, onion and salt. Coconut oil is used to sauté onions, sauce and tomatoes; the mixture is then used to cook rice. In addition to these basic ingredients, any type of meat, vegetables or spices can be added according to the taste of the diners.
8. Cholent
Recipes vary by region, but are generally prepared with chicken or beef, rice, eggs, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and red and green peppers. The ingredients are cooked for hours, giving the stew a stew-like feel.
9. Nshima
Often served as a side dish to meats and vegetables, this dish is a special cornmeal that can be served as a special type of pasta. It is a maize meal, in which the grain is ground and then made into meatballs or fish filets. This dish is so important in the Malawian diet that it is considered the country’s speciality.
10. Dziwala
Many of us may be repulsed by insects, but when you think about it, they are not much different from shrimps. In Malawi, they took a grasshopper without thinking, blew it up and it turned out to be a dziwala. After catching the insects, remove the legs and wings, boil for five minutes and dry in the sun. Then fry in a pan with a little fat and salt. Tomatoes and chopped onion are added for garnish.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional African Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.