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Malawian Food
September 16th, 2008
The food in Malawi is massively different to the food in Britain. We have hundreds of options for each of our meals-we can eat Italian, Indian, Chinese, French or Mexican meals whenever we choose. The people of Malawi only have a few basic options available: maize, rice, msima, potatoes, beans and fish.
Msima is the staple food of Malawi and can be made from corn, cassava or other starch flour. The msima that we ate on our trip was made from cassava flour.
The cassava is dried out in the sun and then ground down into flour which is used to make the msima. Msima is usually eaten with different relishes as it is very bland. Usually to eat it is rolled into a ball with the fingers and dipped into the relish.
Msima is great for the energy that it provides. Farm labourers eat a large plateful in the morning, and so don’t have to eat for the rest of the day because gives them energy and keeps them going.
I tried msima on my first night at Sambani lodge. I really didn’t enjoy it as it was so bland and sticky and chewy. It was an interesting experience, but not one that I’d be willing to try again.
As well as msima, chambo was eaten a lot. Chambo is a type of fish found only in Lake Malawi. It is not only delicious- it also comes in large numbers, so there is usually enough for all.
Chambo can be boiled, fried, roasted, grilled, stewed or smoked etc. It can also be used in ndiwo.
Ndiwo is the word for the relish usually eaten with msima. The ingredients of ndiwo vary throughout the regions of Malawi. In the east of Malawi, meat is expensive and many people can’t afford it, so ndiwo is made with vegetables, including cassava. In the regions next to Lake Malawi, a delicious, traditional relish is made with curried chambo.
The food that I tried in Malawi was very different to the food I usually eat at home, and I’m not sure I’ll miss the Malawian food. I am glad though, that I have had a taste of the culture in Malawi. It’s a great thing to have done.
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