🇱🇸 Basotho (Lesotho) Cuisine

Mokopu

Pumpkin Porridge

Prep Time 15 min

Servings 6

Difficulty Easy

Calories 198 kcal

A sweet, velvety porridge made from ripe pumpkin mashed and cooked with maize meal. This naturally sweet dish requires little added sugar and is a comforting winter warmer in the Lesotho highlands.

Ingredients

1 kg pumpkin, peeled and cubed
1 cup fine maize meal
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
3 cups water

Instructions

1 Boil pumpkin cubes in water until very soft, about 20 minutes
2 Mash the pumpkin in the pot until smooth
3 Gradually stir in maize meal to avoid lumps
4 Add cinnamon and salt
5 Cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently
6 Add sugar if desired
7 Serve warm in bowls

Did You Know?

In Basotho tradition, the biggest pumpkin from the harvest is saved specifically for making mokopu for the whole family. Growing oversized pumpkins is a point of pride among Basotho farmers.