Gastronomic delights of Mutare

Those of you who have been regular readers will have learned by now to believe me when I issue a warning. So here it is.....

Today we delve into some of the gastronomic delights of Mutare, and, because this is Africa, if you have a weak constitution.........maybe give today a miss! Because some of the things we find normal may not be to your liking.

You have been warned.

In our travels through the nearby town of Mutare on shopping trips for the hotel, my wife and I are often confronted with strange sights - many of which we have come to regard as commonplace. And yet they might be of interest to the foreign Readers of this blog. In the supermarkets we have food for sale which is positively Zimbabwean - for example, the discerning housewife is able to buy Mopane worms. This pic is an old one from January - but the worms are still available in Mutare today. Normally they are sold dehydrated, and it is best to soak them in water before cooking so that they 'bulk up' a little....

These 'worms', which are actually the larval form of the Imbrasia bellina moth which belongs to the emperor moth family, are served to every group of Americans that we get in the hotel. We normally make a tomato/onion sauce to accompany them. Tasty stuff......

Of course, those pictures are from January of this year

However, it is in our local butchery, that things will be markedly different from the offerings available in the meat markets of London and New York! But the food is for sale, and eaten by the folk here as part of a normal diet.  Here is the display fridge in our local butchery taken today.....

Nothing too strange there, then? Except that the meat offered for individual sale is not pre-packed, and is generally sold by the ounce, as requested by the customer. (For the hotel, the butchery packs and freezes for us as we order a week in advance)

Every part of the animal is eaten in Zimbabwe - waste not, want not. And so roast leg of goat, or at least roast shin of goat, is something you may not consider buying in London or New York.  But our butcher has it for sale all the time.

Then there is the ultimate in meat for group catering. Say you have 15 folk coming for dinner and are a little stuck regarding what to serve - the following will certainly leave the hostess feeling big-headed about her offering.......

Food for thought?

Once again the "Sorry for that" blog produces a reaction. And don't say you weren't warned! But this - for us, is normal to see in our butchery!

Have a great day!