Review of Swahili bitter veggies (managu, mchicha)

by Jackline Shayo
(Mtwara, Tanzania)

Bitter Veggies (Managu, Osuga, Mchicha)

Traditional vegetables have their own in-build, unique flavours that should not be overpowered by adding too many spices. Milk or cream is sufficient to enhance these flavours.

Managu (bitter Veggies) has a distinctively bitter taste and the cream mellows it down. Enjoy this dish with ugali, fried nduma (arrowroot)

Ingredients
a) 3 bunches managu (remove leaves from the stem)
b) 2 small onions, finely chopped
c) 3 tomatoes, finely chopped
d) 1/2 cup cream or 1 cup milk
e) traditional salt to taste

Method
- Wash leaves thoroughly
- Chop if desired or cook whole
- Boil water in a pan and add managu.Cook for 10 minutes.
Dry and keep aside.
- In a separate pan, fry onions and tomatoes. Add managu and cook for 20 minutes on medium heat.
- Add cream, stir briefly and serve hot.

This meal made my mother-in-law love me even more. I got married to their son the soonest.

I love African Dishes