Kapenta Recipe

Kapenta Recipe

Kapenta Recipe This is a popular dish / relish in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Kapenta or matemba like some people call it, is enjoyed with nshima( pap) it's delicious whether it's cooked with tomato or not. 

Kapenta is also known as Tanganyika sardine. They are mostly found in lake Tanganyika hence the name Tanganyika sardine. Though they are mostly found in lake Tanganyika, kapenta is also found in lake kariba, lake Malawi etc.

There are many ways of enjoying kapenta stew and today I'll be showing you the most common way of preparing it. Follow this recipe and you'll love dried kapenta. 

There are many ways of enjoying kapenta stew and today I'll be showing you the most common way of preparing it. Follow this recipe and you'll love dried kapenta.


TYPES OF SARDINE

There are many types of small sardine. 

Namely siavonga, siavonga kapenta is found in siavonga in the southern province of Zambia. Another type is chisense, this are tiny kepenta but they are very tasty. And this recipe uses chisense. 

Mpulungu kapenta is found in mpulungu, this kapenta is big.

There are many ways of enjoying kapenta stew and today I'll be showing you the most common way of preparing it. Follow this recipe and you'll love dried kapenta.


WHAT TO SERVE WITH KAPENTA

Kapenta is usually enjoyed with nshima and side vegetables like cooked okra, cabbage or pumpkin leaves (chibwabwa / chiwawa)

More Zambian Cuisines 

Fried Cassava


Beef trotters


Chikanda Recipe

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There are many ways of enjoying kapenta stew and today I'll be showing you the most common way of preparing it. Follow this recipe and you'll love dried kapenta.


Kapenta Recipe This is a popular dish / relish in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Kapenta or matemba like some people call it, is enjoyed with nshima( pap) it's delicious whether it's cooked with tomato or not. Kapenta is also known as Tanganyika sardine. They are mostly found in lake Tanganyika hence the name Tanganyika sardine. Though they are mostly found in lake Tanganyika, kapenta is also found in lake kariba, lake Malawi etc. There are many ways of enjoying kapenta stew and today I'll be showing you the most common way of preparing it. Follow this recipe and you'll love dried kapenta.

Kapenta Recipe

Kapenta Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 250g Dried Kapenta
  • 1 Large Tomato
  • 2 leaves of spring onion
  • Olive oil, as needed

METHOD

    1. Sort through the kapenta by removing grass, solid dirt in case there are any.
    2. Heat up a pan and gently dry roast kapenta for 5 minutes, turning frequently.
    3. Soak kapenta in cold water for 3 minutes. The kepenta should all be immersed in water. Drain and pat dry.
    4. Heat oil in a pan and add kepenta. Fry continuously for 5 minutes or until browned . Add Grated tomato and 2 chopped leaves of spring onion.
    5. Stir and reduce heat and cover the pan for 5 minutes. Stir again and remove from the stove.

        Equipments Used
        1 Non-stick frying pan 
        2 Wooden Spatula 
        3 Cutting board 
        4 Large Bowl 
        5 Knife

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Comments

  1. I have never eaten kapenta before. Now I am very curious to give it a try! you recipe looks totally doable for me which a huge bonus

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  2. This looks interesting and delicious. I haven't really tried Kapenta but would love to try this. Will make sure to prepare a side dish as well. Will try it with cooked okra.

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  3. Wow, those look good. I also love sardines and I am trying to make new recipes with it, too.

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  4. I have never heard of this recipe before, but it does sound pretty good. I'll have to make this soon for myself.

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  5. I live in South Africa (right next door to Zimbabwe) and have never heard of this. It sounds so interesting.

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    Replies
    1. Oh. I am surprised that sardines are not popular in south Africa.

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  6. I've got to be honest and say I'd never heard of Kapenta until I came across your blog post. It looks really interesting though. Maybe I should give it a try :)

    Louise x

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    Replies
    1. You should try them. They are silver whitebait also called small sardines.

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  7. First time I’ve heard of this dish and I dont think that we have anything like this in the philippines.

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  8. This kapenta recipe reminds me of my Mom's version back in the Philippines. We love sardine fishes and we prefer to dried them under the sun. She also made a similar kapenta and looks delicious when it is spicy, then paired with rice!
    Sometimes, Mom fried it and coated it in sugar, making it a sweet sardine snack.

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    Replies
    1. Sounds delicious. I'd love to try your mom's recipe.

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  9. What an exotic dish! I'm quite daring when it comes to cooking, hence, I really enjoy your recipe!

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  10. I have never heard of this before. Such an interesting recipe.

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