Whatever the ethnic group they belong to, Namibians typically love their meat. It’s the primary Namibia meals that you just’ll discover within the nation!
When you’re as enthusiastic about barbecues, stews and curries, strive a few of these dishes if you go to the nation.
Namibia meals: What to anticipate
Potjiekos
Actually which means pot meals, potjiekos has its roots in South Africa and has since grow to be a Namibian favourite. Locals put together the dish in massive, black, three-legged forged iron pots positioned on open fires, and the vary of recipes is huge – given that each prepare dinner has some or different favored ingredient.
Stewing beef turns into meltingly tender when simmered for a very long time, and is extensively held to be the perfect meat for potjiekos. That mentioned, venison, mutton, pork, hen and fish work exceedingly nicely with most greens the prepare dinner chooses to make use of. The meal normally requires three to 4 hours cooking time.
Braaivleis
Braaivleis is the Namibian equal of barbecue. However, in contrast to barbecue, scorching canines and burger patties don’t ordinarily seem on the Namibian braai menu. As an alternative, locals favor richly-flavored lamb chops, boerewors (farmer’s sausage), hen, steak, snoek (ocean fish) and pork rashers.
Very similar to South Africans who even have an enormous braaing tradition, Namibians take pleasure in their braai with varied sorts of salad.
In Namibia, making ready meals outside is a lifestyle, as indoor kitchens are uncommon. This isn’t stunning given the excessive temperatures within the nation.
Over time, the barbecue, or braai, has grow to be a social gathering and ritual – it’s thought-about a very powerful function of Namibian delicacies.
Throughout a braai, something that may be purchased in a grocery store is placed on the grill – be it sport resembling zebra, ostrich or oryx; a farmer’s sausage known as boerewors and even simply peppers with little buns for grilling (braai brootjes).
The perfect accompaniment is both ice-cold Savannah Dry from South Africa or Tafel beer, which continues to be brewed in keeping with German purity legal guidelines.
Mopane Worms
Mopane worms are caterpillars discovered within the northern components of Namibia. The Oshiwambo ethnic group found their potential as a scrumptious meal and launched them to the remainder of the nation.
In Namibia, the caterpillars of the emperor moth are often called omangugu and are well-known for his or her excessive dietary content material of 60% protein, iron and calcium. Locals, particularly in distant areas of the nation, take into account them an excellent complement to their weight loss plan.
If you wish to go on a culinary voyage of discovery, it is best to positively do this caterpillar. In conventional markets, in addition to in some eating places, it’s normally supplied fried.
It could appear unusual at first, however in the long run it’s a rewarding expertise with a stunning style sensation.
At the moment, many foodies relish a meal of crispy, fried mopane worms.
Kingklip
You’ll want to add kingklip to your checklist of culinary highlights! Though it isn’t so well-known but, it’ll quickly be an actual competitor to the cod. The meat of the fish is gentle and low in fats – an actual deal with for gourmets!
Particularly on the Namibian coast, the chicken is at its finest: it tastes splendidly juicy and unbelievably scrumptious!
There are lots of methods to arrange it: Kingklip may be grilled or fried. As an entire fish or as a fillet with pores and skin, the Kingklip is ideal for light cooking strategies resembling poaching, steaming or frying on the pores and skin. Its tender flesh may be ready very gently.
The South African Bearded Kingklip has an elongated physique just like that of the eel. It reaches spectacular sizes of as much as 1.80 meters in size and 15 kilograms in weight.
The completely different species of kingklip are simply distinguished by their coloration: They vary from red-orange with black spots on the again – particularly the South African selection, which is smaller and extra noticed than different species.
Kapana
Kapana may be very in style everywhere in the nation.
Basically a avenue snack, Kapana is purple meat barbecued within the open-air, and offered within the nation’s townships. Cooks minimize the meat into small items and serve it with peppers, onions, chillies and sauces.
The road distributors work collectively within the markets and serve you freshly grilled meat of the best high quality.
They put together quite a lot of cuts, typically together with beef, lamb or venison. It’s historically cooked over a charcoal flame with a steel grill as the bottom. As soon as the meat is cooked to perfection, you possibly can take a chunk proper off the grill and dip it in chili powder and salt – merely scrumptious!
Topping it off is a salsa-like sauce constructed from diced tomatoes, onion rings, and fiery chili peppers; seasoned with vinegar & oil for a harmonious taste expertise!
Generally known as a hangover remedy, this specialty can also be a superb appetizer for the enjoyment of Namibian brewed beer.
Goat or Beef Tripe – Matangara
Namibians benefit from the edible offal from the ox, sheep and goat stomachs, and put together them as curries or potjies.
Earlier than it may be ready, nevertheless, it have to be totally cleaned till it’s completely clear.
The tripe is then gradual cooked and types an essential base for a hearty stew. That is notably in style in eating places across the nation, in addition to with avenue distributors as a fast meal to go.
Matangara additionally typically finds its means into the standard potjiekos of the locals. The meat must be good and tender – that’s when Namibians like it essentially the most!
Tripe is a Namibian conventional meals, so keep in mind to strive it for those who’re after a radical cultural expertise. So for those who’re taken with attempting the extra conventional Namibia meals, that is the one to strive!
Biltong
Whenever you strive biltong, you might be in for a particular style expertise.
Moreover beef, Biltong can come from dried Kudu, Springbok, or Gemsbok meat. The preparation technique entails marinating the meat for days, spicing it and, lastly, hanging it to dry for 2 to a few weeks.
The meat is minimize into skinny strips and seasoned with chosen spices. It’s then slowly air-dried till the meat has reached its attribute consistency – 100 grams of biltong is constructed from 240 grams of recent beef.
What makes this delicacy so particular? For one factor, this can be very tasty: The spicy flavors mix completely with the juicy, low-fat muscle meat of beef. Biltong can also be an ideal supply of diet: It’s excessive in protein and iron, and low in carbohydrates, making it perfect for an athletic snack or a snack between meals!
Consuming biltong is a big a part of the tradition in Namibia, so make sure to give it a strive.
Recreation
Namibia has many fascinating (and scrumptious) sport choices for adventurous foodies. Look forward to finding Kudu, Springbok, Ostrich and Crocodile on the menu.
It could appear a bit uncommon to abruptly discover ibex meatballs and zebra steak on the menu. However we will guarantee you: Every dish is very really helpful! The meat is great and most often completely recent.
If you’re doing a self-drive tour via Namibia, it is best to ask for recent sport on the campsites. Many of those locations are owned by farmers with their very own livestock – so you could have the chance to take pleasure in actually top quality meat proper on the spot.
One other extra distinctive kind of Namibia meals to strive!
Boerewors
When speaking about meals in Namibia, one subject can’t be lacking: Boerewors.
This South African product can also be obtainable right here and may be discovered as a kringle within the refrigerated part. The identify interprets as “farmer’s sausage” and that’s precisely what it’s – a sausage for barbecues with pals or household.
Apparently, there are strict specs for the manufacturing of one of these sausage, which have even been regulated by regulation since 1990.
So be careful – don’t mess with the Boerewors! If you wish to take pleasure in it correctly, it’s best served with mustard on the braai – it tastes simply excellent that means!
Potijekos
Strive the various variations of potijekos if you don’t really feel like grilled meat. Historically cooked in a three-legged iron pot straight over an open fireplace, this stew is a real style sensation.
The substances for the stew differ relying on the area or the prepare dinner’s desire, however normally quite a lot of meats resembling beef, pork or lamb are mixed with greens. Widespread greens embody cauliflower, pumpkin, or cabbage – all recent and wholesome substances!
So what are you ready for? Give this scrumptious different to grilled meat a strive!
Vegetarian Miliepap
In Namibia, miliepap is a well-liked vegetarian maize porridge that’s normally served as a aspect dish. Nonetheless, when greens are added, it can be loved as a nutritious essential dish.
At the moment, pap exists underneath completely different names in lots of African international locations and has alternative ways of preparation relying on the area. Slap Pap is eaten for breakfast with milk and honey, Stywe Pap goes completely with braai dishes and Krummel Pap completes meat and vegetable dishes.
An essential custom when tasting Miliepap is that it’s eaten completely with the fingers.
Smiley: Sheep or Goat Head
Smiley is for many who love the extraordinary.
It’s normally a ready sheep or goat head cooked with quite a lot of herbs and spices.
There aren’t any components of the pinnacle – aside from the mind – that can’t be eaten. Even the eyes are a part of this delicacy! Be courageous and take a look at Smiley!
By the best way, the identify “smiley” comes from the truth that the pinnacle seems like it’s smiling after cooking.
Contemporary Bread
Braai brootjes are a deal with for anybody who likes to grill herb baguettes. Namibia’s supermarkets promote small white rolls stuffed with home made garlic or herb butter – an actual style explosion and excellent for the recent barbecue!
When you favor home made bread, search for farms in Namibia. Many household farms have their very own lodges or campsites and bake their very own recent bread – which tastes heavenly with an fragrant cup of espresso within the morning!
