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Main course Fish & Seafood

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥460kcal
💪40gProtein
🌾18gCarbs
🥑28gFat
🌿2gFibre
⚖️300 gServing

* Per serving · 300 g. May vary.

Allergens

🦐 Shellfish

Also served in

Zanzibar

Coconuts Stewed Octopus

How to order / say it
Say it Pweza wa Nazi — [pwé-zah wah nah-zee]
Order I'd like the Coconut Stewed Octopus, please.
Locally Ningependa pweza wa nazi, tafadhali.
Say locally

A savory stew of tender octopus cooked with coconut milk.

Why try it?

This dish exemplifies the coastal flavors of Zanzibar, where seafood and coconuts are plentiful. It stands as a symbolic reflection of the island's reliance on the Indian Ocean for sustenance and the creamy richness of coconut, a staple in Swahili cooking.

How it tastes

The octopus is tender and succulent, boasting a slight sweetness from the coconut milk, harmonized with the aromatic spices. A rich and creamy texture envelops the seafood, with subtle notes of saffron and cardamom.

Origin & History — first documented: 1850

Rooted in the coastal communities, this dish has been a part of local diets for centuries, likely since the 19th century when coconut trees flourished on the island. The combination of octopus and coconut evolved naturally, celebrating the fresh bounty of the sea.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🐟 400 g octopus
  • 🥛 250 ml coconut milk
  • 🧄 1 large onion
  • 1 large tomato
  • 🧄 3 cloves garlic
  • 🧂 1 tbsp ginger
  • 🧂 1 tsp curry powder
  • 🌿 1 tsp coriander
  • 🍋 1, juiced lime
  • 🫒 2 tbsp coconut oil

Method

  1. 1 Clean and boil the octopus until tender.
  2. 2 Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger in coconut oil until golden.
  3. 3 Add tomato, curry powder, and stir in coconut milk.
  4. 4 Add octopus and simmer until flavors meld, finish with lime juice.

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All Africa recipes — Mozambique — Pemba — Coconuts Stewed Octopus
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