Cassava leaf plasas
Sierra Leone's pounded-leaf stew
Think of it as: Like creamed spinach made bold with palm oil and smoked fish
Skip the root, eat the leaves.
What does it taste like?
Grassy, slightly bitter greens with rich palm oil and smoky fish.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureThick and finely textured
What is it?
Cassava leaves pounded fine and slow-cooked with palm oil, meat and dried fish. In Sierra Leone, plasas means a leafy sauce. It's spooned over rice.
How locals eat it
Served generously over white rice, a classic Sunday dish.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇸🇱Sierra Leone
CapitalFreetown
Populationabout 8.9 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesDiamonds, Iron ore, Agriculture
Famous peopleSengbe Pieh (Joseph Cinqué)Led the 1839 revolt aboard the slave ship Amistad
HelloKushe (Krio)
CurrencyLeone
Fun factFreetown was founded in the late 1700s as a settlement for freed formerly enslaved people.
The flag🇸🇱 Green for farming and mountains, white for unity and justice, blue for Freetown's harbor and the sea.
From Tokyoabout 14,340 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Freetown
Getting there20+ hours with connectionsrough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season, November to April. Also try🍛 Jollof riceGroundnut soupPoyo (palm wine)
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season, November to April. Also try🍛 Jollof riceGroundnut soupPoyo (palm wine)
🇸🇱 Sounds & life in Sierra Leone
KushɛHello（Kushe (Krio)）
Latin
Latin
Right now…
AnthemHigh We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free
SportFootball
SportFootball
Ingredients
- 500g frozen cassava leaves
- 400g beef or chicken
- 100g dried fish
- 4 tbsp red palm oil
- 1 onion
- 1-2 chilies
- 2 tbsp peanut paste (optional)
- Salt
Can't find it? Some cooks use spinach when cassava leaves are unavailable.
How to make it (one way)
- Pound or finely chop the cassava leaves
- Parboil the meat with onion and salt
- Add the leaves and water and cook until soft
- Add palm oil, dried fish and chili
- Simmer about an hour and serve over rice
⚠️ Cassava leaves are toxic raw; cook them thoroughly.