African Art and Food Sharing History and Heritage

How to make a green banana sauce for seafood How to make a green banana sauce for seafood served cold or room temperature recipe from the African Gourmet. Green bananas Although the green banana is simply an unripened yellow banana, it has different uses. Unripe green bananas are used a lot in African and Caribbean cooking. Green bananas are grown and used all over the African continent; seafood green banana sauce is a popular recipe. Prep time: 15 min Cook time: 15 min Total time: 30 min Seafood Green Banana Chutney Ingredients 2 large green bananas ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 1 cup sugar ½ cup grated coconut 6 dates, chopped 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 large tomato, chopped 2 scallions, finely chopped ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 cup water Directions Chop green bananas, add all ingredients together, stir well and simmer 15 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly pour chutney into canning jars, cool on the counter top. Perfect on s...

The origin of planting and growing grapes in North and South Africa is unknown. Grape vines were planted in Mediterranean climates of South Africa around 1650's and North African countries of Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria produced 60% of the worlds wine until the late 1950's. In North Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria played an important role in the history of wine. Algeria's vinicultural history dates back to its settlement by the Phoenicians and continued under Algeria's rule by the Roman Empire. Winemaking continued in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria until the Muslim conquests of North Africa in the 7th and 8th centuries. The main wine-producing areas in Morocco are located in the Atlas Mountains region, Benslimane and Meknès.  The main wine-producing areas in Algeria is located in the provinces of Aïn Témouchent, Mascara, Mostaganem, Sidi Bel Abbès, and Tlemcen. The main wine-producing areas in Tunisia are located in Arianah, Nabul and Sousse regions. Cabo ...

Sweet Potato Curry Stew Easy Sweet Potato Curry Stew is just one of hundreds of ways to enjoy the sweet potato. The sweet potato is queen and is not traditionally eaten in Africa, yam is king of crops in West Africa. However, in recent years sweet potatoes and sweet potato recipes are being grown and marketed for their tolerance to drought and easy cooking recipes. Vegetarian Sweet Potato Curry Soup Vegetarian Sweet Potato Curry Soup. Ingredients 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 cups of coconut milk 1 cup of water 1/2 cup frozen peas 1 medium diced ripe tomato 2 tablespoons palm oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger 1 hot pepper finely chopped 2 tablespoons sweet curry powder Salt and ground pepper, to taste Directions In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add curry, onion, garlic, ginger, peppers, salt and sauté unti...

African farmer’s production of cotton in Burkina Faso Africa lost $89.5 million in revenue in five cotton growing seasons using Monsanto’s genetically modified cotton seeds. The cotton shirt you are wearing may be made from GMO African cotton fibers. Cotton production and therefore picking in Africa has fallen in recent years. The U.S.A seed and pesticide company Monsanto proposed an answer to boosting African cotton trade economy, a genetically modified strain of cotton called Bollgard II. The gluttonous incest, the bollworm destroys 35 percent of African cotton crop. The bug-resistant genes of Bollgard II produced more volume but the quality of cotton reduced dramatically and African farmers abandoned the genetically modified cotton and renewed the traditional seeds and growing methods of their African ancestors. Balancing a basket of freshly harvested cotton on her head. "Genetically modified cotton, it's not good today. It's not good tomorrow," sai...

You will love the taste of turtle soup and making our grandmothers turtle soup recipe is healthy and easy. Turtle soup is soup made from the meat of turtles with spices and fresh vegetables. Our classic turtle soup recipe stewed Tanzania style, like they serve off the river and lakes throughout Africa.  In the kitchen, we are the followers of the wisdom of our ancestors. Cooking is highly socialized and practical art. Each day, while it adds to our food experience it should also increase African ancestor food knowledge.  Now that intercommunication between distant nations has become easier and frequent, the rural and city-dweller of Africa commands greater attention to culinary art. One art of cooking Africa offers is how to cook turtle soup.  How the catch and clean snapping turtles for eating. Catching and cleaning snapping turtles is easy. In Africa they live in a wide variety of marine habitats: large creeks, rivers, swamps, marshes, and lagoons. Fishin...

Zulu African proverbs explains circumstance in Zulu everyday living, or of an event in traditional Zulu history that makes the proverb expression meaning clear. 15 Popular Zulu African proverbs and  expressions with detailed meanings Yimbabala yolwantunge He is a buck of an endless forest. A saying applied to a shiftless person, one who never continues long in any occupation. Isikuni sinyuka nomkwezeli A brand burns him who stirs it up. This proverb is an exact equivalent to the English one, Let sleeping dogs lie. Njengo mdudo ka Mapassa Like the marriage feast of Mapassa This saying is used to denote anything unusually grand. The marriage festivities of one of the ancestors, Mapassa, said to have been carried on for a whole year. Ishwa lomhluzi wamanqina Misfortune of soup made of shanks and feet. Applied to any person who never does well, but is always getting into scrapes. Akuko mpukane inqakulela enye One fly does not provi...

Looking for seafood stew recipes from Africa, make Fanti Fanti African seafood stew. The African Gourmet seafood stew is a unique spicy African seafood recipe where octopus is simmered until tender adding fantastic flavor to the tomato and seawater rich stew. Our African Gourmet family has made Fanti Fanti African seafood stew made with seawater for over 10 years. Fanti Fanti African Seafood Stew Recipe Ingredients ½ pound cleaned diced octopus ½ pound shelled and deveined shrimp 3 fish fillets of any kind 4 large ripe tomatoes diced 1 hot pepper, chopped 1/2 cup seawater or 1 teaspoon salt dissolved into 1 cup water 3 cups tap water Directions In a large stew pot over medium heat add octopus, tomatoes, pepper, sea and tap water simmer 45 minutes until octopus is tender. Add remaining seafood and simmer 10 minutes longer. Serve with Ghana kenkey or over rice and enjoy your chop (food). More economical easy lunch and dinner recipes to make right now so you never have to ea...

On the Akan Calendar are found four special days, collectively called dabɔne, bone evil, sacred days; Fɔdwo, Awukudae, Fofie and Akwasidae. Four Akan Dabɔne Sacred Days Fodwo Awukudae Fofie Akwasidae The composition of the Akan adaduanan calendar cycle is based on an older six-day week. The days of the six-day week are: 1. Fo - Council day 2. Nwuna- Sleep or death day 3. Nkyi - Taboo day 4. Kuru -Political day 5. Kwa –Rest day 6. Mono - Fresh start day The Akan calendar is based on what the Akan call forty days, adaduanan; da - day, aduanan - forty. Within the Adaduanan 42-day cycle of the Akan Calendar are found four special days, collectively called dabɔne (bone evil) sacred days; Fɔdwo, Awukudae, Fofie and Akwasidae.   Two of these evil days are collectively called adae. The other two of those evil days are Fodwo and Fofi. The 42-day cycle begin on Fɔdwo and the other three dabɔne follow in nine-day intervals; Awukudae on the tenth day, Fofie on the nineteent...

Sawdust toilets can solve the lack of adequate good sanitation in African slums. Sawdust toilets, also known as composting toilets, are eco-friendly and sustainable sanitation systems. They offer an alternative to traditional flush toilets and septic systems by using natural processes to convert human waste into compost that can be safely used as fertilizer for plants. The severe lack of water and toilets is a major concern for slums throughout Africa, especially in the large slums of Khayelitsha in Cape Town, South Africa, and Kibera in Kenya. Densely populated slums are installing sustainable sawdust toilets using a container with a lid, a toilet seat, and a regular supply of sawdust. Sawdust toilets In Africa’s largest slums, housing conditions and toilets are unsanitary, and sawdust toilets are an innovative environmental idea. In the slum of Khayelitsha in Cape Town, South Africa, the lack of adequate sanitation, potable water, and electricity, in addition to substandard ho...

Don't worry it's easy to look like an international African Queen by making an African fabric kimono with our visual and written no-sew directions. How to Make a No-Sew Ankara Kimono that will have you looking like an International African Queen. See step-by-step instructions to make the fabulous unisex African fabric kimono with no-sew directions for beginners. In Japan the kimono was orginally called a kosode, a layer of clothing that was worn as undergarments. The kosode which did not have the voluminous sleeves orginally, slowly morphed into the origin of modern kimono we know today. The kimomo is a unisex piece of clothing worn by both men and women. Kimonos come in infinite variations and this simple no-sew design you will need 1 ½-yards Ankara fabric measuring 45 inches wide. Before beginning to cut, give yourself plenty of room to work with good lighting, check to see if there is a right an...

Rabbit interpreted angry African winds message to humankind wrong and her response did not blow in the direction of peace; this is the reason why the rabbits nose is split to this day. Read and understand the message of the Angry African Wind African Folktale Story and why rabbit got it wrong. Angry Wind African Folktale Story The Wind summoned a Butterfly to give a message to humankind, saying, "Fly to Mankind, and tell them, "Love for mankind is the most precious reward that wisdom can offer" The Butterfly started with the message, but while on her way was kidnapped by a Rabbit, who asked, "On what errand are you flying so quickly?" The frightened Butterfly answered, "I am sent by the Wind to Mankind, to tell them that "Love for mankind is the most precious reward that wisdom can offer". The Rabbit said, "As you are a slow messenger, let me go to take the message to the humans”. With these words, he ran off, and when he reached ...

Justice in Africa Adinkra symbols include Fawohodie, Sepow, Kontire ne Akwamu, Wo Nsa Da Mu A, Epa, Funtunfunefu-Denkyemfunefu, Krado – Mmra and Ohene Adwa.  Power, justice and punishment African Adinkra symbols are a one of a kind visual expression of West African heritage. Eight Justice in Africa Adinkra symbols and meanings Fawohodie Symbolizes Liberty Symbol of liberty, independence, freedom, emancipation Sepow Symbolizes Justice Knife used in executions. This is plunged through the throat of the victim’s cheeks to prevent him from invoking a curse on the King. Kontire ne Akwamu Symbolizes elder’s reliance and Democracy meaning one head does not make up council. Wo Nsa Da Mu A Symbol of taking part in government and democracy, if you have your hands in the dish. ...

Two Ingredients Grilled Sweet Plantains Boli is a popular street food recipe of Nigeria. Whole sweet plantains are grilled and sold on street corners or in traffic by African street hawkers. African street food hawkers know how to grill sweet plantains perfectly. Boli grilled sweet plantains Boli Two Ingredients Grilled Sweet Plantains Recipe Ingredients 4 large ripe yellow plantains 1 teaspoon salt Directions Peel the plantains leave whole and place on top of grill. Grill plantains over very low coals for about 5 minutes on each side. Sprinkle with salt and serve. Plantains on sale at market in Ibadan Nigeria The street food trade or street hawking is a very popular trade in Ibadan Nigeria and sometimes the only way for some Nigerians to make a living. Many African families rely on hawking as the sole source of income. Ibadan is the capital and most populous city of Oyo State, Nigeria. With a population of over 3 million, it is the thi...