Whatever the ethnic group they belong to, Namibians typically love their meat. It’s the primary Namibia meals that you simply’ll discover within the nation!
When you’re as obsessed with barbecues, stews and curries, strive a few of these dishes if you go to the nation.
Namibia meals: What to anticipate
Potjiekos
Actually 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 massive, black, three-legged forged iron pots positioned on open fires, and the vary of recipes is huge – given that each cook 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 very best meat for potjiekos. That stated, venison, mutton, pork, hen and fish work exceedingly effectively with most greens the cook 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, sizzling 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 like South Africans who even have an enormous braaing tradition, Namibians get pleasure from their braai with numerous kinds of salad.
In Namibia, getting 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 change into a social gathering and ritual – it’s thought of an important characteristic 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 referred to as boerewors and even simply peppers with little buns for grilling (braai brootjes).
One of the best accompaniment is both ice-cold Savannah Dry from South Africa or Tafel beer, which remains 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 known 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, contemplate them a perfect complement to their food plan.
If you wish to go on a culinary voyage of discovery, you need to undoubtedly do that caterpillar. In conventional markets, in addition to in some eating places, it’s normally supplied fried.
It might appear unusual at first, however ultimately it’s a rewarding expertise with a stunning style sensation.
Right now, many foodies relish a meal of crispy, fried mopane worms.
Kingklip
Be sure you add kingklip to your listing of culinary highlights! Though it isn’t so well-known but, it should 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!
Particularly on the Namibian coast, the chicken is at its finest: it tastes splendidly juicy and unbelievably scrumptious!
There are a lot of methods to arrange it: Kingklip will be grilled or fried. As a complete fish or as a fillet with pores and skin, the Kingklip is ideal for mild cooking strategies resembling poaching, steaming or frying on the pores and skin. Its tender flesh will 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 could be very fashionable all around the nation.
Primarily a road 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 a wide range 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 may 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 made out of diced tomatoes, onion rings, and fiery chili peppers; seasoned with vinegar & oil for a harmonious taste expertise!
Often known as a hangover treatment, 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 completely cleaned till it’s completely clear.
The tripe is then sluggish cooked and varieties an necessary base for a hearty stew. That is significantly fashionable in eating places across the nation, in addition to with road distributors as a fast meal to go.
Matangara additionally typically finds its manner into the normal potjiekos of the locals. The meat ought to be good and tender – that’s when Namibians adore it essentially the most!
Tripe is a Namibian conventional meals, so bear in mind to strive it in the event you’re after an intensive cultural expertise. So in the event you’re all for attempting the extra conventional Namibia meals, that is the one to strive!
Biltong
While you strive biltong, you’re in for a particular style expertise.
In addition to beef, Biltong can come from dried Kudu, Springbok, or Gemsbok meat. The preparation technique includes 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 made out 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 also be an excellent supply of diet: It’s excessive in protein and iron, and low in carbohydrates, making it superb for an athletic snack or a snack between meals!
Consuming biltong is a large a part of the tradition in Namibia, so make sure you give it a strive.
Recreation
Namibia has many attention-grabbing (and scrumptious) sport choices for adventurous foodies. Anticipate finding Kudu, Springbok, Ostrich and Crocodile on the menu.
It might appear a bit uncommon to immediately discover ibex meatballs and zebra steak on the menu. However we will guarantee you: Every dish is extremely beneficial! The meat is superb and usually completely recent.
In case you are doing a self-drive tour via Namibia, you need to ask for recent sport on the campsites. Many of those locations are owned by farmers with their very own livestock – so you will have the chance to get pleasure from actually prime quality meat proper on the spot.
One other 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 also be obtainable right here and will 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 mates or household.
Curiously, there are strict specs for the manufacturing of the sort of sausage, which have even been regulated by legislation since 1990.
So be careful – don’t mess with the Boerewors! If you wish to get pleasure from it correctly, it’s best served with mustard on the braai – it tastes simply good that manner!
Potijekos
Attempt the various variations of potijekos if you don’t really feel like grilled meat. Historically cooked in a three-legged iron pot immediately over an open fireplace, this stew is a real style sensation.
The components for the stew differ relying on the area or the cook dinner’s choice, however normally a wide range of meats resembling beef, pork or lamb are mixed with greens. Standard greens embrace cauliflower, pumpkin, or cabbage – all recent and wholesome components!
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 facet dish. Nevertheless, when greens are added, it may also be loved as a nutritious major dish.
Right now, pap exists beneath 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 necessary custom when tasting Miliepap is that it’s eaten completely with the arms.
Smiley: Sheep or Goat Head
Smiley is for individuals who love the extraordinary.
It’s normally a ready sheep or goat head cooked with a wide range of herbs and spices.
There aren’t any components of the top – aside from the mind – that can’t be eaten. Even the eyes are a part of this delicacy! Be courageous and check out Smiley!
By the best way, the identify “smiley” comes from the truth that the top appears like it’s smiling after cooking.
Recent Bread
Braai brootjes are a deal with for anybody who likes to grill herb baguettes. Namibia’s supermarkets promote small white rolls stuffed with do-it-yourself garlic or herb butter – an actual style explosion and excellent for the recent barbecue!
When you favor do-it-yourself 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!
