Last month we took a road trip to Nairobi Kenya which is a 5 hour drive from where we are in Tanzania. While we were there we had probably the best mall food court meal ever! We were good and hungry and we couldn’t decide between the offerings so we ordered from the Chinese restaurant as well as from Nama Mama Express which serves home-style Kenyan dishes with a modern eclectic twist. Thankfully many traditional African dishes are vegan. This recipe, Mukimo, Kenyan mashed potatoes and greens is a recipe I knew I had to recreate!
We were not disappointed. It one of the best vegan meals we had during our stay in Nairobi. Our food was served on real dishes and was beautiful as well as delicious.
Mukimo is a staple food for the Kikuyu people in Central Kenya. It’s made from mashed potatoes, pumpkin leaves and corn and/or beans. The green color may have been enhanced by food color. Our dish came served with curried vegetables. Man oh man was it good! So of course I had to try to make it myself once we got back to Arusha.
I didn’t have any pumpkin leaves nor could I find “green corn” as fresh corn is called. I DID have fresh garden peas and plenty of spinach (which looks to me like what is called swiss chard in the US). So being the kitchen innovator I am, I created my own version of Mukimo. Here it is.
Update-I now have an ample supply of pumpkin greens in my garden. I cook the greens separately, put them in the blender until they are smooth. Then I add them to the potatoes and peas. Yummy!
Try your own variations. Use kale, or another green of your choice.
The Recipe-Mukimo, Kenyan Mashed Potatoes And Greens
- 9 potatoes
- 2-3 cups chopped spinach, swiss chard or pumpkin leaves
- 1 cup corn or peas
- 3 garlic cloves
- salt and pepper to taste
- Peel potatoes if you desire (I left the skins on mime)
- Cut potatoes into quarters
- Put in a large pot and cover with water
- Bring to a boil
- Add the garlic and greens to the pot
- Alternatively cook the greens and garlic separately in water, then put them in the blender along with some of the cooking water.
- In a separate pot cook the peas/corn until they are done.
- Cook until potatoes are soft
- Drain, reserving some of the water
- Mash until potatoes are smooth and lumps are gone
- Add the blended greens if you cooked them separately.
- Add reserved water as needed
- Mix in the peas/corn
- Add salt and pepper to taste
- Serve with curried veggies or other flavorful side dish
I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think.
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