A Guide to Africa
TRADITIONAL SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD, PT.2
There are many ways to immerse yourself in a new country or culture, and the local cuisine is one of the best ways to do this. Because we have so many delicious foods in South Africa, we have put together another list of traditional South African foods worth trying on your visit (find Pt.1 here).
Rusks
Rusks are a classic South African accompaniment to hot drinks – be it coffee, tea or hot chocolate. They are essentially double-baked bread dough, which forms a hard, sweet type of biscuit, similar to biscotti. They are delicious and made for dunking in a cup of coffee. Ouma Rusks in particular are a staple pantry item in many South African homes.
Mrs Ball’s Chutney
No, we did not make that name up. Mrs Ball’s, like Ouma Rusks, is what most South Africans think of when thinking about chutney. It is similar to the mango chutney found in Indian restaurants, except with different fruits and cooking methods. It goes with practically everything – barring cereal – and is something you’ll find in every household. It’s so popular, it even has its own chip / crisp flavour.
Bobotie
Bobotie is a baked dish, originating from the Cape Malay people of Cape Town and Durban. It consists of curried mince and raisins (bear with me), topped with a savoury egg custard. It is oven-baked and served hot, generally with a large helping of chutney.
Potjiekos
(poy-key)
You might struggle to find potjie in your standard restaurant, but locals should be able to point you in the direction of one that has. It is essentially a slowly cooked light stew, made in a three-legged pot heated over a fire. The end result is absolutely superb and is a recipe loved by every Afrikaner.
Dröewors
Much like biltong, dröewors is dried-out meat. It is literally a dried (dröe) piece of wors (the South African equivalent of a hotdog/sausage). It is spiced according to the recipe and is generally eaten as a snack. It’s not the most appealing in looks, but once you’ve tasted it, you’ll be back for more.
