How to discover different food in Mozambique

Located in the southern region of the great continent of Africa, Mozambique is a wonderful archipelago that has amazing beaches, friendly locals and brilliant marine life. However, these are not the only reasons for the island's popularity. The cuisine is so good, that it's an experience that you simply can't miss out on!

Influenced by the Portuguese

Mozambique was first discovered by the Portuguese which led to Portugal influence in pretty much every process that took place in the country. This includes cuisine as well! These early settlers brought a special ingredient with them which was the piri-piri chilli sauce. The name of this sauce translates to pepper-pepper in Swahili, so it comes as no surprise that this sauce is especially extra spicy and packs a punch when used. What gives the sauce its exquisite flavour would be garlic, vinegar, paprika, lemon and the star of the sauce, the African bird's eye chilli. This is a unique capsicum Chinese chilli that is cultivated here, so it isn't hard to come across either.

African ingredients

When it comes to African ingredients, the most common would be seafood from the rich waters of the ocean surrounding the continent. Goat and chicken are the most common meats used in local cuisine. A staple when it comes to local cuisine is none other than xima. This is a stiff porridge that is made out of well ground corn starch. It is the main carb-rich food consumed here. Cassava is a much-loved ingredient here as well and comes from Portuguese Brazil.
Fruits are available here in abundance here – avocado, papaya, mango and many others can be easily bought at the markets for a low price. Coconuts and cashew nuts are never rationed when being used as ingredients for traditional cuisine.

A few Mozambiquan dishes to try

Now that you've learned about the basic ingredients of the local cuisine, here are a few dishes than you just can't skip tasting when on a culinary excursion.

Galinha Asada – this is prepared by marinating chicken in the tasty piri-piri sauce and then roasting it. However, this is the more Portugal way of cooking it. In Mozambique, the chicken is often barbequed or grilled over an open fire by the road. Note that the piri-piri sauce can differ from place to place according to the ingredients available for the mix. Galinha Zambeziana is another variation where the chicken is marinated in freshly squeezed coconut milk.

Rissóis de Camarão – this is a lovely snack that is readily available at any Mozambique restaurant or street-side eatery. Creamy shrimp sauce that has been mixed in with various other ingredients for a boost of flavour is wrapped up in a little dough package. The dough is then dipped in egg-wash and coated in breadcrumbs. It's best eaten straight off the pan. Nice and crispy!

Matapa – the name of this food is derived from one of the ancient African kingdoms. Perhaps the food is as ancient? We may not be certain, but what we do know is that it tastes absolutely delicious. Stewed cassava leaves are ground together with garlic, ground peanuts and coconut milk. The paste is then served with meat dishes, rice and even seafood with a garnish of shrimp or small crabs for added flavour. When paired with xima, the dish is second to none!

Grilled Prawns – of all the seafood that Mozambique has to offer, the most loved ingredient is the Mozambiquan prawn. They grow quite big in proportion to prawns anywhere else and tastes awesome. Grilled prawns are dressed in piri-piri sauce or just garlic and lemon for a milder taste. The dish is served with mashed potatoes which further brings out the flavour of the prawns. Check out restaurants at hotels like Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort for this flavourful dish.