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Zanzibar Flatbread — traditional dish from Stone Town, Tanzania
Bread Vegan

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥340kcal
💪8gProtein
🌾58gCarbs
🥑9gFat
🌿4gFibre
⚖️100 gServing

* Per serving · 100 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten 🌱 Sesame

Zanzibar Flatbread

How to order / say it
Say it Mkate wa Ufuta — [mm-kah-teh wah oo-foo-tah]
Order I'd like the Zanzibar Flatbread, please.
Locally Naomba mkate wa ufuta, tafadhali.
Say locally

A soft, sesame-covered flatbread often enjoyed with tea or curry.

Why try it?

Mkate wa Ufuta is integral to breakfast tables and tea times in Zanzibar, symbolizing the blend of Arab and African food traditions. Its presence in daily meals underscores its cultural importance as a comforting and versatile staple.

How it tastes

Soft and warm, the bread has a nutty sesame flavor with a slightly sweet aroma. It's often used to scoop up curries or simply enjoyed with a cup of tea, offering a comforting and fulfilling taste experience.

Origin & History — first documented: 1750

With origins traceable to the Arab settlers in the 18th century, this sesame bread became a daily staple in Zanzibar due to its simple preparation and compatibility with various dishes. Over time, it solidified its role in local dietary habits.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🌾 300 g all-purpose flour
  • 200 ml water
  • 🥜 50 g sesame seeds
  • 🫒 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 🧂 1 teaspoon salt
  • 🌾 1 teaspoon yeast

Method

  1. 1 Mix flour, yeast, salt, and water to form a dough.
  2. 2 Knead the dough until smooth, let it rise for 1 hour.
  3. 3 Divide and roll the dough, coat with sesame seeds.
  4. 4 Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C until golden brown.
All Africa recipes — Tanzania — Zanzibar — Zanzibar Flatbread
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