🇿🇼 Zimbabwean Cuisine

Matemba

Dried Kapenta Fish

Prep Time 20 min
Servings 4
Difficulty Easy
Calories 260 kcal

Tiny dried kapenta fish from Lake Kariba, sautéed with tomatoes, onions, and seasoning until crispy and savory, a beloved protein source.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried kapenta fish
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 green pepper, diced

Instructions

  1. 1 Rinse dried kapenta briefly in cold water and drain well. Do not soak, as they should stay firm.
  2. 2 Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, sauté onions until translucent, about four minutes.
  3. 3 Add tomatoes and green pepper, cook until softened and forming a sauce, roughly five minutes.
  4. 4 Add kapenta and curry powder, stir gently to combine without breaking the tiny fish apart too much.
  5. 5 Cook for eight to ten minutes, stirring occasionally, until fish are heated through and slightly crispy.
  6. 6 Season with salt and serve immediately with sadza and a vegetable relish on the side.

Did You Know?

Lake Kariba produces thousands of tonnes of kapenta annually, making it one of Zimbabwe's most important fisheries.

From The Culinary Codex — http://theculinarycodex.com/dish/zimbabwean/matemba/