The following highlights some of the popular Traditional São Toméan Foods. If you manage to be in an São Toméan restaurant or you are visiting São Tomé and Principe, I recommend the following
1. Matata
Santo Tomé clams in port wine are awesome. It is very easy to make and good for you too. It is very Portuguese to add in port wine, which they are famous for. After all, they are the ones who founded the nation of Sao Tome and Principe. The taste of the sauce with the port wine is rich and delicious. The addition of the spinach and tomatoes add more nutrition. We will enjoy it simply served over steamed white rice with a side of crispy toasted bread.
2. Banana Bolo
Santo Tomé’s banana bolo is a spectacular dessert recipe. The cake is light and the banana topping will simply take your breath away. It is bananas in a caramel sauce that has just a few hints of spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla.
3. Barriga de Peixe
This is a traditional Santomean grilled fish dish served with rice, breadfruit or tapioca (cassava). They are so popular that you can see them being opened and placed on the rack to dry. Light and mild tasting, but they are full of small stones, so be careful.
4. Burrata Crustini
They are full of flavor and nuances, and they are also easy to make, so they are always a good choice when you are short on time. They are the perfect solution for a quick dinner or a light and healthy idea to eat with a salad.
5. Broa
Broa is a bread that is widely eaten in Africa. It is made from corn flour mixed with a little yeast instead of baking powder. It is added to stews, in other countries as a delicacy, and can be eaten alone.
6. Cachupa
This is a homemade stew, a stew in which meat, beans, vegetables and two types of corn, one of them very large kernels, are mixed. The ingredients vary according to each region where it is served, but always with these food families in its preparation. Generally served in a large clay bowl.
7. Calulu
Calulu is another dish in which the influence of native African gastronomy is clearly marked in the seasoning of the American kitchen. The word calulu refers to the leaves and stems of certain plants, which can be eaten raw or in soups. When we mention calulu, we are referring to a thick, highly charged soup made from various green leaves. Chunks of chicken or hen may be added to the soup, and it is usually served with cassava flour dumplings.
8. Chicken with Coffee Sauce
This is a dish from Sao Tome and Principe, where chicken cooked with coffee, wine and cream is served with rice. Chicken is the perfect ingredient because it can be easily adapted to an infinite number of dishes. This time a delicious marinated breast. The premium touch is combined with the unique flavor of coffee expressed in the form of spices. When tasting the chicken, the coffee flavor was not noticeable, but it added a touch of color.
9. Grelhado
This is grilled shrimp or prawns marinated in a delicious sauce based on onion, garlic, cumin, white wine vinegar and salt. This is a very popular meal on the African coast, usually cooked over an open fire and fireplace.
10. Grilled Linguica
Linguiça is a paprika-smoked pork sausage popular in Portugal and Brazil. In the case of São Tomé, it is grilled and popular in sandwiches. All you need is toasted pastry, bread and hot mustard. It may not sound like much, but this combination is simply delicious.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional African Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.