Habari,
I am so thrilled to share some of the new flavors that have graced my taste buds so far. Before coming to Tanzania, I was under the impression that I would not be surprised by the cuisine as I was convinced that my familiarity with Ghanaian cuisine would allow me the privilege of being familiar with everything Tanzania had to offer food-wise. Thankfully, my ignorant assumptions were immediately dispelled as I was constantly blown away by the home-cooked meals I was served. I started photographing most of my meals as they were some of the most unique meals I had ever tried. Although there are some striking similarities between Ghanaian and Tanzanian foods, there are also some note-worthy differences. For example, both cultures seem to fry a lot of their dishes. Moreover, both cultures eat a lot of carbohydrates. The main differences stem from the ways in which the products are made. To elaborate, in Ghana, one can easily go to a restaurant or street vendor to purchase omelettes or french fries but in Tanzania, a popular dish is the french fries omelette.
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Another pleasant combination that I have had the opportunity to try and have really enjoyed is mango and avocado juice. The two fruits blend together so well that I can hardly ever stop indulging myself whenever I try it. Tanzania prides itself in having an abundance of many fresh fruits so one can easily purchase a myriad of fresh fruits in the local markets.
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Lastly, potatoes are very popular in Tanzania. One of my favorite dishes to eat in America is mashed potatoes so one could only imagine the excitement I felt when I was served a dish which consisted of fried mashed potato balls. I had no idea what they were until I bit into one and realized what I had been served had a taste I recognized. The texture and flavor of the mashed potato balls were absolutely divine. I have asked for the recipe and a lesson on how to make them. I am really excited to try and make these fried mashed potato balls, along with some of the other spectacular meals I have had, for my friends and family after I leave Tanzania.
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Until next time…