Matapa

Mozambique · Sub-Saharan Africa

Short description: Matapa is a thick green sauce of pounded leaves, nuts, coconut, and aromatics, commonly spooned over rice.
Ingredients: Ground cassava leaves cooked with coconut milk, peanuts or cashews, garlic, onion, tomato, and often shrimp or crab.
Cultural note: Grinding the leaves and nuts gives the dish its smooth, heavy texture, while seafood versions add coastal richness.
Common misconception: Despite its green color, it is richer than a plain vegetable side because nuts and coconut thicken the sauce.

image credit