Phane Worms with Pap

Phane with pap pairs mopane caterpillars with a firm maize porridge. FAO describes the caterpillars as a woodland food resource in Botswana and neighbouring parts of southern Africa. Dorcas Mababa’s Botswana papa recipe, published by Oregon State University, makes the porridge by stirring maize meal into boiling water until it stiffens, then continuing to cook it gently.^[1][2]

Botswana Youth’s mophane stew recipe soaks the dried caterpillars in hot salted water, drains and boils them, then cooks them with onion, garlic and tomato. Soy sauce and tomato sauce finish that version, which is served with pap or ting.^[3]