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Banana Curry — traditional dish from Zanzibar City, Tanzania
Main course Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥520kcal
💪8gProtein
🌾92gCarbs
🥑18gFat
🌿10gFibre
⚖️400 gServing

* Per serving · 400 g. May vary.

Banana Curry

How to order / say it
Say it Ndizi na Kukaanga — [n-dih-zee nah koo-kah-anga]
Order I'd like the banana curry, please.
Locally Naomba ndizi na kukaanga, tafadhali.
Say locally

Savory curry with green bananas and spices.

Why try it?

This dish reflects the dynamic use of local staple ingredients like bananas in a savory context, showcasing Zanzibar's unique culinary approach.

How it tastes

The curry has a creamy, mildly spiced flavor with tender bananas that absorb the curry's rich essence, providing a delightful contrast of flavors.

Origin & History — first documented: 1890

Dating back to the late 1800s, this dish utilizes Zanzibar's plentiful bananas, elevated by the influx of Indian spices, contributing to a unique regional specialty.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 500 g green bananas
  • 🥛 400 ml coconut milk
  • 🧄 100 g onions
  • 🧂 5 g turmeric
  • 🧂 5 g cumin
  • 🧂 5 g chili
  • 🫒 30 ml vegetable oil

Method

  1. 1 Sauté onions, turmeric, cumin, and chili in oil.
  2. 2 Add banana pieces and cook briefly.
  3. 3 Stir in coconut milk and simmer until bananas are tender.
  4. 4 Serve hot with rice.
All Africa recipes — Tanzania — Zanzibar — Banana Curry
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