By Lilian Museka
March 2nd.
Poverty is one of the leading problems striking in Africa, yet the same continent is adored with different delicacy that can reduce the levels of hunger.
Some of these delicacies are locally found and may only require a little energy to find it. With concerted efforts, and availability, most communities could save themselves instead of waiting for food rationing Programmes, always provided by government or NGOs.
We shall look at the caterpillars. Caterpillars come from a moth species called the mopane. They are mostly found in South Africa, where it is one of the most trusted nutritious delicacies. The caterpillars are mostly found in the wilderness. They are handpicked by women and children.
There are two types of the caterpillars; with horns and without. Once handpicked, they are pinched at the back and squeezed to get rid of the slimy insides. For the thorny ones, they are scratched downwards to remove them (thorns).
They are then dried in the sun or smoked to give an extra flavor. They can be eaten while dry as nice crunchy crisps or cooked with vegetables and spices.
“If you placed vinkuvala (as locally known in Zambia) on the table with beef, the people here will prefer it over the meat,” says Sally Chiwama, programme Officer, Zambia Media Women Association.
The black jack is another nutritious vegetable yet it’s a weed. Most people hate the black jack because of its spiky and sticky dried fruit. Known to be a weed, it is found in most parts of African countries but very few communities are aware that it has a nutritional value.
The weed is wide spread because its seeds are light and are always carried by wind, flowing water, or any moving item including human beings.
During an interview between the Zambian Sunday Mail and Mrs. Sylvia Banda, the proprietor of a local catering service provider company, Sylva Catering Limited Proprietor, she says, “It is the first weed that is normally gotten rid of from most gardens because people do not know its value.”
The black jack can be prepared as a vegetable on its own or mixed with fish. As a vegetable, it may be prepared in either fresh or dry form. Boil it in water for up to 25 minutes, drain it and put some more water and boil it until it dries up. “The first water has to be drained because the plant contains high concentration of chlorophyll and a strong smell that may not be liked by most people,” said Mrs. Banda.
You may fry the vegetables and add some spices or groundnuts to make it more tasty. The vegetable can also be prepared with pumpkin or bean leaves.
Another method to prepare the dry black jack is boiling it and drain with colander. Fry fish fillet, place the vegetables in the layers, at the bottom of a pot, fish then some more vegetables on top. Add tomatoes, onions, some spices and salt to taste. Leave this to cook for atleast 45 minutes.
The plant has high contents of iron and zinc. It can be used as a blood booster for people with insufficient blood or anaemic.
March 2nd.
Poverty is one of the leading problems striking in Africa, yet the same continent is adored with different delicacy that can reduce the levels of hunger.
Some of these delicacies are locally found and may only require a little energy to find it. With concerted efforts, and availability, most communities could save themselves instead of waiting for food rationing Programmes, always provided by government or NGOs.
We shall look at the caterpillars. Caterpillars come from a moth species called the mopane. They are mostly found in South Africa, where it is one of the most trusted nutritious delicacies. The caterpillars are mostly found in the wilderness. They are handpicked by women and children.
There are two types of the caterpillars; with horns and without. Once handpicked, they are pinched at the back and squeezed to get rid of the slimy insides. For the thorny ones, they are scratched downwards to remove them (thorns).
They are then dried in the sun or smoked to give an extra flavor. They can be eaten while dry as nice crunchy crisps or cooked with vegetables and spices.
“If you placed vinkuvala (as locally known in Zambia) on the table with beef, the people here will prefer it over the meat,” says Sally Chiwama, programme Officer, Zambia Media Women Association.
The black jack is another nutritious vegetable yet it’s a weed. Most people hate the black jack because of its spiky and sticky dried fruit. Known to be a weed, it is found in most parts of African countries but very few communities are aware that it has a nutritional value.
The weed is wide spread because its seeds are light and are always carried by wind, flowing water, or any moving item including human beings.
During an interview between the Zambian Sunday Mail and Mrs. Sylvia Banda, the proprietor of a local catering service provider company, Sylva Catering Limited Proprietor, she says, “It is the first weed that is normally gotten rid of from most gardens because people do not know its value.”
The black jack can be prepared as a vegetable on its own or mixed with fish. As a vegetable, it may be prepared in either fresh or dry form. Boil it in water for up to 25 minutes, drain it and put some more water and boil it until it dries up. “The first water has to be drained because the plant contains high concentration of chlorophyll and a strong smell that may not be liked by most people,” said Mrs. Banda.
You may fry the vegetables and add some spices or groundnuts to make it more tasty. The vegetable can also be prepared with pumpkin or bean leaves.
Another method to prepare the dry black jack is boiling it and drain with colander. Fry fish fillet, place the vegetables in the layers, at the bottom of a pot, fish then some more vegetables on top. Add tomatoes, onions, some spices and salt to taste. Leave this to cook for atleast 45 minutes.
The plant has high contents of iron and zinc. It can be used as a blood booster for people with insufficient blood or anaemic.
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