Kachumbari
Encyclopedia
Kachumbari is a fresh tomato and onion salad dish in East and Southern African cuisine. It is an uncooked salad dish consisting of chopped tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers (and salt to taste). Variations of Kachumbari can be found in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and in central African countries of Malawi and Congo. In Latin America, it is a variation of pico de gallo
, or salsa fresca.
It is popular throughout east Africa and parts of southern Africa. The Swahili
word Kachumbari originated from the word Koshumbri or "Kachumber" in Sanskrit
from India
.
In Kenya, it is used as a condiment
and is considered a favorite accompaniment to pilau or a meal of nyama choma (grilled or barbecued beef, veal, sheep, lamb, goat, etc.) and ugali
. It can also be eaten with Mukimo though people prefer not to. In Tanzania, it is eaten with rice pilaf or biryani. In Malawi, it is usually eaten on its own like any other salad dish.
or dhania), parsley, avocado or cucumber, and in some cases gin or vodka can also be added. Some recipe variations also call for Naga Jolokia peppers, Habanero chili peppers or Scotch Bonnet peppers with a touch of ground Cayenne Pepper.
rice and African Biryani
.
Pico de gallo
In Mexican cuisine, pico de gallo , also called salsa fresca, is a fresh, uncooked condiment made from chopped tomato, white onion, and chilis...
, or salsa fresca.
It is popular throughout east Africa and parts of southern Africa. The Swahili
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
word Kachumbari originated from the word Koshumbri or "Kachumber" in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Uses
It is used like a salad side dish for a main meal.In Kenya, it is used as a condiment
Condiment
A condiment is an edible substance, such as sauce or seasoning, added to food to impart a particular flavor, enhance its flavor, or in some cultures, to complement the dish. Many condiments are available packaged in single-serving sachets , like mustard or ketchup, particularly when supplied with...
and is considered a favorite accompaniment to pilau or a meal of nyama choma (grilled or barbecued beef, veal, sheep, lamb, goat, etc.) and ugali
Ugali
Ugali is an East African dish of maize flour cooked with water to a porridge- or dough-like consistency. It is the most common staple starch of much of Eastern and Southern Africa...
. It can also be eaten with Mukimo though people prefer not to. In Tanzania, it is eaten with rice pilaf or biryani. In Malawi, it is usually eaten on its own like any other salad dish.
Variations
Other ingredients like lime or lemon juice, fresh cilantro (corianderCoriander
Coriander is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Coriander is native to southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia. It is a soft, hairless plant growing to tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the...
or dhania), parsley, avocado or cucumber, and in some cases gin or vodka can also be added. Some recipe variations also call for Naga Jolokia peppers, Habanero chili peppers or Scotch Bonnet peppers with a touch of ground Cayenne Pepper.
African Variations
Kachumbari is popular throughout east Africa and can be eaten with African PilafPilaf
Pilaf is a dish in which rice is cooked in a seasoned broth . In some cases, the rice may also attain its brown color by being stirred with bits of cooked onion, as well as a large mix of spices...
rice and African Biryani
Biryani
Biryani, biriani, or beriani is a set of rice-based foods made with spices, rice and meat, fish, eggs or vegetables. The name is derived from the Persian word beryā which means "fried" or "roasted"....
.
- In other East African countries like UgandaUgandaUganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
and RwandaRwandaRwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
it is known as Kachumbari. - In MalawiMalawiThe Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
(central/southern Africa), the salsa sauce is called 'Sumu' or 'Shum' or simply 'tomato and onion salad'. - In CongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoThe Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
(central Africa)it is known as Kachumbari.
Latin American Variations
- In Mexico, it is known as Pico de galloPico de galloIn Mexican cuisine, pico de gallo , also called salsa fresca, is a fresh, uncooked condiment made from chopped tomato, white onion, and chilis...
, salsa cruda or salsa fresca - It is made in other Latin American cuisine.