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Shitto Sauce is a Ghanaian hot chilli condiment made in a variety of ways with different recipes from regions and villages. This Pepper Sauce can spice up even the plainest dishes.
It may not be for the faint of heart, this spicy Ghanaian condiment has a strong and Smokey taste with a big kick of chili; adding a rich and bold African flavor with plenty of depth and complexity.
What Is Shitto?
Shito is Ghanaian hot chili sauce also called kpakpo shito. It is made with peppers, fish, garlic, onions, oil, spices and others.
These ingredients are usually blended, together and cooked in oil till the sauce is formed. Shito is dark brown in color and can be served as side to most dishes such as waakye, kenkey, white rice, as dip, topping and much more.
Shitto Sauce has been likened to the Malaysian condiment sambal belacha, as they share the same potent smoky flavor that comes from the addition of ground smoked fish or prawns, as well as its rich texture.
Shitto Sauce can be coarse and full of body or smooth, medium or extra hot depending on how much chili you use. This recipe makes a medium-hot coarse paste.
How To Make Shito
Ghana Shito is traditionally very hot; hence why it is called Ghana hot sauce. However, you can make it to your preferred heat level by varying the chilli quantity. Mine is medium hot so everyone can eat it, but you can add more or less chilli depending on preference.
It is important to stir the sauce often while cooking to prevent burning. In fact, a non-stick pot (if you have one) is better for this type of thick sauce. This full recipe below is easy, detailed and you get the most delicious shito pepper ever. This is one of the best shito recipes and you won’t be dissapointed.
How to Make Vegan Shito Sauce
If you don’t eat animal products, you can still enjoy this tasty sauce. Instead of the dried fish, try it out with some nori and mushrooms ground into a powder instead.
What To Serve With Shitto Sauce
It goes really well with both fish and meat, and can be served as a side to most dishes. As long as you are a fan of heat, Shitto Sauce can be a really versatile addition to your kitchen repertoire.
Think of it as a West African version of ketchup or chilli sauce – you can serve it with meat or fish (or use it as a marinade). I love to serve mine with:
- Fried plantain
- Yam
- Beans like Ewa Agoyin
Storage
Leave to cool completely before putting in airtight container or jars and store in the fridge for up to 1 month or in the freezer for up to a 6 months.
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Shitto Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup herrings smoothly crushed
- 15 large fresh pepper
- 1 cup dried powdered bony fish
- 15 large onions
- 1 cup herrings roughly crushed
- 3 tbsp dried pepper powder
- 1 cup dried powdered shrimp
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 med ginger root
- 4 pcs garlic
- 1 tbsp nutmeg powder
- 1 seasoning cube
- 2 cups vegetable cooking oil
- 1 tbsp powdered cloves
- salt
Instructions
- Peel off the onions, ginger and garlic, wash and slice into small pieces.
- Put a pot over medium heat, add cooking oil to heat.
- Add the sliced onions, ginger, garlic and pepper and fry for about 15 min.
- Carefully collect them from the oil and allow cool.
- Put the oil back on heat and add the tomato puree, fry till it separated.
- Blend the fried <a href="https://afrifoodnetwork.com/recipes/chicken-vegetable-soup/">vegetables</a> and add to the tomato puree, keep stirring and allow to cook for about 10 -15 min.
- Add the dried ingredients, powdered shrimps, bony fish/anchovies and herrings.
- Pour the seasoning, nutmeg, cloves, dried powdered pepper and allow simmer on a low heat till it turns dark brown.
- Check for salt and add if needed.
- Allow cool and put in a dry clean bottle or sterilized jar and store for about 2-3 months with the oil on top of the sauce, however, keep refrigerated once it starts being consumed.
