Sunday, August 8, 2010

Ugali

No, I'm not calling you names.  Ugali (oo-GAH-lee) is the traditional dish of Western Kenya, and I've been told by someone from Western Kenya that if you don't eat Ugali at least every few days, you shrivel up from want. Many people hate Ugali.  We love it.

We asked Jane, who helps at our house, to make us this staple meal.  Even by Kenyan standards she makes great Ugali.




















The side dishes and sauces that go with Ugali are what make it good.  A main one is skumawiki - cooked Kale and spinach.



Many people in the upcountry can't afford side dishes and so they eat Ugali plain.  This would be equivalent to eating grits or polenta without seasoning or sauce or anything for three meals a day, seven days a week.  Ugghhh!















But all together, combined with the fun of eating with your hands, Ugali is a yummy meal.

4 comments:

  1. It looks like palenta! Yum! I am a big fan of any culture that enjoys spice!!! Hope you all are well. :)

    PS Women at church are now reading The Glass Castle. :)

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  2. "Mrs. Casey" is Frankie, btw. I am using my work Google account. Nice.

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  3. Thanks, Frankie! It's a lot like polenta and it's funny that the culture here is so addicted to something brought in by others not so long ago. I will be on the lookout for your book - you never know what you'll find!

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  4. Such interesting food! Great pictures (some will make nice paintings) and stories. Glad to see you are doing well. School starting very soon and summer coming to an all to soon end. Dawn

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