Zambian dishes are one of their kind with their major element, maize found in almost every Zambian meal. Zambia, in southern Africa, is a landlocked country of rugged terrain and diverse wildlife, with many parks and safari areas.
In the second half of the 20th century, maize was first used in meals like nsima or nshima which is the traditional dish in Zambia. Traditionally, the Bemba people of what is now Zambia ate what was available depending on the weather. A form of thick millet porridge called ubwali was served with “relish” called umunani at Bemba meals.
Nearly all zambian dishes include ubwali. The most popular form of umunani was a stew made from meat, fish, insects, or vegetables. Ubwali was typically eaten by the Bemba with just one kind of condiment at a time. Salt and occasionally ground nuts were used to prepare the meat and vegetable stews.
Chikanda is one of the most famous Zambian dishes enjoyed in Zambia. Originally common among the Bemba people of the Northern Region, this meat-like special is often referred to as African Polony. It is prepared using wild orchids, which are dried and pounded.
Zambia’s staple food is maize.
Nshima makes up the main component of Zambian dishes and is made from pounded white maize. It is served with “relish”, stew and vegetables and eaten by hand (preferably the right hand). Nshima is eaten during lunch and dinner.
Zambians eat maize in several ways. When the corn is ripe but still green, it can be roasted or boiled. When it is dry and hard, it can be fried or boiled.
Some Traditional Zambian Dishes
Nshima
Nshima is the staple carbohydrate of Zambia. It is one out of other zambian dishes made from corn that is processed into a fine white powder called ‘mealie meal’. It is cooked by mixing the corn meal with water which is brought to the boil as porridge (similar to grits). More cornmeal is added until it develops a thicker texture. The cornmeal can be substituted for cassava, sorghum and millet. Nshima is served with a protein (usually meat or fish) and one or two vegetables.
Ifinkubala
Caterpillars in Zambia are called ‘ifinkubala‘. They are usually fried in oil, or boiled for a few minutes then fried in oil, and are served with tomatoes and onion with nshima.
Inswa
After it rains, flying ants called ‘inswa‘ are collected. The wings are pulled off and the bodies are fried in oil. This is one of the zambian dishes that are rich in protein and can be eaten as a snack or served as a side dish with nshima.
Chikanda is commonly referred to as ‘African polony’, although it is entirely vegetarian. This Zambian Dish is made from wild orchid tubers, peanuts, chilli and baking soda, it is cooked until it has a meatloaf consistency, and is served either hot or cold.
Ifishashi
Pounded peanuts are mixed with vegetables such as rape (a type of kale) to make ifisashi, although it can be added to other food items such as kapenta (a small sardine-like fish), sweet potatoes and chikanda.
Michopo
Michopo is roasted meat which is usually cooked outdoors on the grill. It is usually beef or goat meat served with chilli or onions, tomatoes and potatoes. Michopo is commonly found at bars as it is great paired with a Mosi (the local lager).
Fruit
Traditional seasonal Zambian fruits include wild loquats called ‘masuku‘ which have a plum-like taste, ‘masau‘, which tastes like sour apples, and baobab seeds called ‘mawuyu‘ among others.
Fish
Zambia’s many water bodies produce different types of fish. Some of the most popular are kapenta (small sardine-type fish that are fried in oil, tomatoes and onions), and buka buka, a species of Nile perch, and bream which is either grilled, boiled or dried, and served in gravy with nshima.
Some Zambian Dishes To Eat When You Visit Zambia
There are variety of food in ZAMBIA and you might have difficulty in choosing which food to eat,, so here are few food you can try when you visit ZAMBIA.
Tongabezi chicken curry
This is a traditional chicken stew originating from Zambia. Although there are a few recipes, the curry is usually made with a combination of chicken, sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, garlic, lemongrass, hot peppers, stock, yogurt, ginger, coriander, and curry powder.
The onions, ginger, and garlic are sautéed in oil until soft. Chicken pieces are added to the pan and cooked until done. Chopped tomatoes, lemongrass, curry powder, and stock are stirred in, and the curry is simmered for a few minutes. The sweet potatoes are boiled, sliced, fried in oil, and then served as an accompaniment to the curry, along with rice and yogurt.
Curried Gazelle
This dish originates from land-locked Zambia, where animals such as gazelles freely roam on the vast land, so it is not a surprise that a curry made with good-quality gazelle meat is quite popular in the country. The is one of the relished zambian dishes and it is made with gazelle rump steak, onions, garlic, chilis, sliced plantains, coconut milk, tomato paste, and flavorings such as cumin, cardamom, and curry powder. The ingredients are slowly simmered until the desired consistency is achieved. The dish is then served hot, preferably on a bed of white rice.
Chibwabwa
This is a typical Zambian dish cooked throughout the country. It consists of tomatoes, onions, pumpkin leaves, and (optionally) groundnuts. The ingredients are boiled in water until the combination becomes thick in texture. In Zambia, chibwabwa is typically prepared during traditional ceremonies. When properly prepared, this creamy side dish is always served as an accompaniment to nshima, a dough-like porridge made with maize flour.
Food Facts About Zambian Dishes
There are plenty of vegetables that are eaten in Zambia, based on seasonal availability. Popular vegetables include ‘chibwabwa‘, which are pumpkin leaves, ‘katapa‘ sweet potato leaves, ‘bondwe‘ (a species of amaranthus), ‘impwa‘ (a species of eggplant), ‘lumanda‘ (a species of hibiscus), and okra, which is either fried or boiled with bicarbonate of soda.
Asides the dishes, another popular food element in Zmbia is their tradional beer. Traditional beer in Zambia is brewed from maize. Individual communities used to brew their own recipes and distribute them to the entire community.
Commercial maize beer brewing is also practiced in Lusaka; well-known brands include Chibuku and Shake-Shake. Popular beers that are not on this list are Rhino and Mosi. At the Barclays Sports Complex in Lusaka on September 25, 2009, the inaugural Zambian Beer Festival took place.
