Joanna James
Botswanan cuisine is one of the most eccentric cuisines in the world. Not everyone likes Botswanan food, but as a tourist, you must sample at least a few dishes, and there's plenty.
The local cuisine of Botswana is very similar to other regional cuisines, but it has its own characteristics. The cooking style is somewhat unique, which is what sets it apart. The dishes can be very strong in flavour, and some tourists don't like them. Hotels in Gaborone Botswana serve some of the best dishes in the country, and they are mostly aimed at tourists. So if you want to play it safe, visit a place like Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino.
This is a flatbread that's consumed throughout Africa. When translated into the local language, it has the meaning flat cake. The bread is usually filled with meat or fish. Vetkoek can be eaten as a snack as well. To make it a delicious snack, locals fill it with syrup or jam. Vetkoek is usually eaten with some other curry. At restaurants, it is served on the side of other dishes.
If you plan to tour Africa, Braai is a dish you need to be familiar with – the Braai is served at almost every eatery in Africa. The dish is special because of its cooking method. The meat is cooked over a firepit using hot coals. Braai can be stuffed with anything, but steak and lamb chops are the most common choices you get here.
The country's national dish, Seswaa, is served on every special occasion. This is a combination of lamb, beef, goat and chicken. It is cooked over a low flame until the meat is tender. Locals stick to the old traditional recipe for Seswaa, and they don't like any changes. Seswaa is typically served with sorghum, pap or polenta. A three-legged pot is used for cooking the dish.
One of the local favourites, goat meat stew is cooked with potatoes and a few other vegetables. This stew is much healthier than other dishes, and it is incredibly delicious. It can be a little too spicy for your liking, so be careful when trying goat meat stew for the first time.
Another healthy choice found here, Morogo is made using leafy tree vegetables; pumpkins are the one must-have vegetable for the dish. No one really loves the dish, but the locals eat this for its health properties. Morogo is somewhat bitter in taste but extremely good for your health.
One of the most delicious dishes in Botswana, Dikgobe is made using peas, samp and beans. All the ingredients are fried in oil or fat, and once everything's cooked, it needs to have a thick consistency. This dish can be enjoyed on its own, but the locals like to have a fresh glass of milk to go with it.
Chicken in a hole is another unique dish found here. As the name suggests, the meat is cooked in a hole in the ground. An oven is built in the ground, and it's fueled with coal, and water is used to regulate the steam. A lot of other cultures are discovering the benefits of cooking in an underground oven. Prior to cooking, the chicken is marinated with chilli, curry powder, vinegar, garlic powder, onions, herbs and cabbage. The meat has to be well seasoned before going into the oven. The process cannot be rushed; the meat needs to slow-cooked to achieve its tender texture.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
