Zululand News Popular South African Food

Zululand News Popular South African Food

Zululand News Popular South African Food – In South Africa we live in a multi-cultural society and as a result we have a mix and match diverse cuisine. KwaZulu Natal and Zululand did not have any direct Malay influence on our cuisine unlike in the Cape. A dish like bobotie although known as a popular South African meal it does not feature significantly in Zululand. Our strongest influences have been Zulu, Afrikaner, Indian (Indian Indenture) and English.

Zululand News Popular South African Food – Savory

Durban Curry – Unlike many other curries a Durban curry is not cooked with coconut milk or cream. Known as red curry it can be fiery hot with under tones of garlic, ginger, coriander, aniseed, cloves and cinnamon. Curries are made with lamb, beef, chicken, seafood and vegetables.

Bunnies and kotas are bread based meals. A bunny chow is a portion of fresh bread filled with curry. Kota is a food originating from the townships (kasi culture) where bread is filled with an assortment and mix of food types. For a great bunny or kota in Zululand try Soweto Jive restaurant in Empangeni.

Boerewors is an Afrikans sausage filled with spiced pork and beef. This is most often cooked over a wood or charcoal fire on a braai (BBQ) or at a Shisa Nyama. Photo above.

Zululand News Popular South African Food – Staple and Sides

Pap/Phutu is a traditional porridge/polenta made from coarsely ground maize known as mealie-meal and a staple food (phutu) of the Zulu peoples. The Afrikaans word pap is taken from Dutch and means “porridge.” Photo above.

Chakalaka is a spiced vegetable relish popular with pap and phutu.

Zululand News Popular South African Food – Snack Food

Biltong are strips of umami-rich dried and spiced meat normally served as a snack. Above photo.

Vetkoek/Amagwinya – Both are a ball of dough, fried and often filled. Sometimes they are sprinkled with cinnamon. Vetkoek means ‘fat cake’. Fillings include spiced mince, apricot jam, grated cheese or polony. Amagwinya’s tend to be smaller in size.

Samoosas is a triangular fried or baked dish with a savoury filling, such as spiced mincemeat, potatoes, onions, peas, or lentils. A corn and cheese filling is gaining popularity in Zululand.

Zululand News Popular South African Food – Sweet

Melktert for “milk tart” is a South African dessert pastry crust filled with a custard and ground cinnamon sprinkled on top. Above photo.

Koeksister is a traditional Afrikaner confectionery made of fried dough dunked in a syrup or honey.

Dom Pedro is sometimes also referred to as Don Pedro. It is a soft ice cream drink laced with whiskey. Very popular is the adapted version where Amarula liqueur is substituted for the whiskey.