CONGO’S COCONUT CANDY

SEASON 3 EPISODE 2

Hey there! Welcome to another episode of Learn Africa.

Congo has a lot of diversity of recipes for fast foods or better known as finger-foods. These foods are fast and are mostly deep fried while some can be roasted or stewed.

Today, we’d look at some common snacks and drinks that are enjoyed by the people of Congo.

Examples of fast food or snacks found in Congo

• Fried plantain
• Akara
• Dabo Kolo
• Mandazi
• Akara
• Sugar Peanuts
• Kashata
• Ngalakh
• Coconut pie
• Congo bars

KASHATA (Coconut Candy)

This is a snack that is made from coconut and is mostly taken with a drink such as coffee or soft drink.


Ingredients

• Freshly sliced coconut
• Coconut milk
• Sugar
• Cinnamon (Yoruba: Oloorun; Hausa: Kirfa; Igbo: Pawuda)
  

Method of Preparation

1. Grate the coconut slices into tiny slices.
2. Add some quantity of water into a bowl together with sugar and coconut milk and stir.
3. Cook this mixture over heat for about 5 minutes and stir.
4. Add the cinnamon powder to the mixture, stir and cook over low heat.
5. Remove from heat when it begins to caramelize and pour over a flat plate or tray and flatten with a spoon or knife.
6. Cut into desired shapes before it solidifies.
7. Allow to cool and your Kashata is ready to be eaten.
   
   

DRINKS

Linguila – this is a local wine that is made from fermented sugarcane

White Elephant – this is a popular alcoholic drink that is made from rum, coconut and milk

Palmwine – local drink gotten from the sap of palm trees

Written and edited by Ebenezer Oladokun