Matapa
Mozambique's creamy cassava leaf stew
Think of it as: Like creamed spinach that went to a beach shack
Pounded leaves, coconut and crab. Trust it.
What does it taste like?
Grassy greens mellowed by peanut and coconut richness.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureThick and creamy
What is it?
Young cassava leaves are pounded and slowly cooked with ground peanuts and coconut milk, often with crab or shrimp. It's a coastal Mozambican classic served with rice.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Spooned over rice or xima (maize porridge); on the coast, crab is a must.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇲🇿Mozambique
CapitalMaputo
Populationabout 36.6 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesNatural gas, Aluminium, Agriculture (cashews)
Famous peopleEusébioFootball legend who starred for Portugal
HelloOlá (Portuguese)
CurrencyMetical
Fun factIts flag features an AK-47 rifle, one of the only flags with a modern gun.
The flag🇲🇿 Green for land, black for Africa, yellow for minerals, red for the struggle; plus a star, book, hoe and rifle.
From Tokyoabout 13,130 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Maputo
Getting there20+ hours with connectionsrough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDry season, May to November. Also tryFrango à piri-piriXima
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDry season, May to November. Also tryFrango à piri-piriXima
🇲🇿 Sounds & life in Mozambique
OláHello（Olá (Portuguese)）
Latin
Latin
Right now…
AnthemPátria Amada
MusicMarrabenta Upbeat dance music born in Maputo
Listen on YouTube SportFootball
Maria Mutola (athletics, 800m Olympic champion in Sydney) World HeritageIsland of Mozambique and more
MusicMarrabenta Upbeat dance music born in Maputo
Listen on YouTube SportFootball
Maria Mutola (athletics, 800m Olympic champion in Sydney) World HeritageIsland of Mozambique and more
Ingredients
- 500g cassava leaves
- 150g ground peanuts
- 400ml coconut milk
- 300g crab or shrimp
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- Salt
Can't find it? Use spinach or kale instead of cassava leaves.
How to make it (one way)
- Wash and pound the cassava leaves finely
- Boil the leaves in water
- Add ground peanuts and coconut milk
- Add onion, garlic and seafood
- Simmer gently for over an hour, stirring so it doesn't catch
⚠️ Cassava leaves are toxic raw. Pound well and cook for a long time.
Get the ingredients (ad)
coconut milkAmazon