Regardless of 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!
If you’re as enthusiastic about barbecues, stews and curries, strive a few of these dishes while you go to the nation.
Namibia meals: What to count on
Potjiekos
Literally that means pot meals, potjiekos has its roots in South Africa and has since change into a Namibian favourite. Locals put together the dish in giant, 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 most effective meat for potjiekos. That mentioned, venison, mutton, pork, rooster and fish work exceedingly properly 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. But, not like barbecue, scorching canine and burger patties don’t ordinarily seem on the Namibian braai menu. Instead, locals choose richly-flavored lamb chops, boerewors (farmer’s sausage), rooster, steak, snoek (ocean fish) and pork rashers.
Much like South Africans who even have an enormous braaing tradition, Namibians take pleasure in their braai with varied varieties of salad.
In Namibia, getting ready meals outside is a lifestyle, as indoor kitchens are uncommon. This is no surprise given the excessive temperatures within the nation.
Over time, the barbecue, or braai, has change into a social gathering and ritual – it’s thought-about crucial function of Namibian delicacies.
During a braai, something that may be purchased in a grocery store is placed on the grill – be it recreation resembling zebra, ostrich or oryx; a farmer’s sausage referred to as boerewors and even simply peppers with little buns for grilling (braai brootjes).
The greatest accompaniment is both ice-cold Savannah Dry from South Africa or Tafel beer, which remains to be brewed in response to German purity legal guidelines.
Mopane Worms
Mopane worms are caterpillars discovered within the northern elements 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 referred to as 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, think about them a really perfect complement to their food regimen.
If you wish to go on a culinary voyage of discovery, you need to positively do this caterpillar. In conventional markets, in addition to in some eating places, it’s normally provided fried.
It could appear unusual at first, however in the long run it’s a rewarding expertise with a shocking style sensation.
Today, many foodies relish a meal of crispy, fried mopane worms.
Kingklip
Be certain so as to add kingklip to your listing of culinary highlights! Although it isn’t so well-known but, it is going to quickly be an actual competitor to the cod. The meat of the fish is delicate and low in fats – an actual deal with for gourmets!
Especially on the Namibian coast, the chicken is at its greatest: it tastes splendidly juicy and unbelievably scrumptious!
There are some ways to organize it: Kingklip could be grilled or fried. As a complete 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 could be ready very gently.
The South African Bearded Kingklip has an elongated physique much 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 could be very common everywhere in the nation.
Essentially a road snack, Kapana is pink meat barbecued within the open-air, and offered within the nation’s townships. Cooks reduce 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 is historically cooked over a charcoal flame with a metallic grill as the bottom. Once the meat is cooked to perfection, you possibly can take a bit proper off the grill and dip it in chili powder and salt – merely scrumptious!
Topping it off is a salsa-like sauce constituted of diced tomatoes, onion rings, and fiery chili peppers; seasoned with vinegar & oil for a harmonious taste expertise!
Known as a hangover treatment, this specialty can be a wonderful 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.
Before it may be ready, nevertheless, it have to be totally cleaned till it’s completely clear.
The tripe is then sluggish cooked and kinds an essential base for a hearty stew. This is especially common in eating places across the nation, in addition to with road distributors as a fast meal to go.
Matangara additionally typically finds its method into the normal potjiekos of the locals. The meat must be good and tender – that’s when Namibians find it irresistible probably the most!
Tripe is a Namibian conventional meals, so bear in mind to strive it when you’re after an intensive cultural expertise. So when you’re considering making an attempt the extra conventional Namibia meals, that is the one to strive!
Biltong
When you strive biltong, you might be in for a particular style expertise.
Besides beef, Biltong can come from dried Kudu, Springbok, or Gemsbok meat. The preparation methodology includes marinating the meat for days, spicing it and, lastly, hanging it to dry for 2 to 3 weeks.
The beef is reduce into skinny strips and seasoned with chosen spices. It is then slowly air-dried till the meat has reached its attribute consistency – 100 grams of biltong is constituted of 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 be an ideal supply of diet: It is excessive in protein and iron, and low in carbohydrates, making it superb for an athletic snack or a snack between meals!
Eating biltong is a big a part of the tradition in Namibia, so you should definitely give it a strive.
Game
Namibia has many fascinating (and scrumptious) recreation choices for adventurous foodies. Expect to seek out Kudu, Springbok, Ostrich and Crocodile on the menu.
It could appear a bit uncommon to all of the sudden discover ibex meatballs and zebra steak on the menu. But we are able to guarantee you: Each dish is extremely really helpful! The meat is superb and usually completely recent.
If you might be doing a self-drive tour by way of Namibia, you need to ask for recent recreation on the campsites. Many of those locations are owned by farmers with their very own livestock – so you’ve gotten the chance to take pleasure in actually prime quality meat proper on the spot.
Another extra distinctive sort of Namibia meals to strive!
Boerewors
When speaking about meals in Namibia, one subject can’t be lacking: Boerewors.
This South African product can be accessible right here and could 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.
Interestingly, there are strict specs for the manufacturing of this kind of sausage, which have even been regulated by legislation 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 good that method!
Potijekos
Try the numerous variations of potijekos while you don’t really feel like grilled meat. Traditionally cooked in a three-legged iron pot straight over an open fireplace, this stew is a real style sensation.
The components for the stew fluctuate 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. Popular greens embrace cauliflower, pumpkin, or cabbage – all recent and wholesome components!
So what are you ready for? Give this scrumptious various 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. However, when greens are added, it may also be loved as a nutritious primary dish.
Today, pap exists beneath completely different names in lots of African international locations and has other 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 solely with the palms.
Smiley: Sheep or Goat Head
Smiley is for many who love the extraordinary.
It is normally a ready sheep or goat head cooked with quite a lot of herbs and spices.
There are not any elements of the pinnacle – aside from the mind – that can not 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 appears to be like like it’s smiling after cooking.
Fresh Bread
Braai brootjes are a deal with for anybody who likes to grill herb baguettes. Namibia’s supermarkets promote small white rolls full of selfmade garlic or herb butter – an actual style explosion and excellent for the recent barbecue!
If you like selfmade 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!
