What is Matoke?
Matoke, or matooke, also known as Mataba, is a traditional banana-based dish in many parts of Africa. It is popular in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Matoke can be made in different ways and according to different recipes, but the process is always the same.
Matoke is a regular meal bearing different names in each region in the world. Everyone has had this delicacy in one way or the other. People eat matoke during lunch or dinner due to its ability to keep you full and satisfied.
Matoke tends to be a bit sour but is one of the most appetizing dishes. The different matoke recipes make it acceptable and a great compliment to other dishes on the menu.
There is no doubt that once you finish your plate of matoke, you’ll find yourself yearning for more.
There are slight variations of the dish depending on the preparation method used. The dish can be served is traditionally served with fish, beef, chicken, and/or vegetable stew. However, it is usually served with or alongside ugali a millet-based staple food in Western and Central Africa.
Matoke Ingredients
- Green banana: The main ingredient you will need to make this dish is green bananas. These green bananas are unripe bananas that are a bit hard in texture and bland in taste. So, these soak up the flavors f the other ingredients and thus tend to turn out very tasteful. Plus, they are a bit different from the regular unripe bananas. You can easily find them at an Asian or African grocery store. You will need to peel the green bananas and cut them into 2-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Avocado oil: You can use any vegetable oil for this recipe. I usually love using olive oil or avocado oil.
- Onion: Use either white or red onions for this recipe. Onions add a savory flavor to the dish. They set the base for the dish and therefore is, a compulsory ingredient.
- Garlic: adds a boost of flavor to the stew, you can substitute with garlic powder.
- Ginger: I prefer freshly grated ginger.
- Red bell pepper: Red bell pepper has a fruity flavor. Plus, it has a beautiful and vibrant color. Adding it to this dish elevates its flavor.
- Tomatoes: Chopped tomatoes add so much flavor to this dish. They offer a tangy flavor and aid in giving you a rich flavorsome gravy.
- Curry powder: Curry powder is an essential ingredient in many Caribbean recipes. It is a blend of different spices and has a rich and intense flavor and aroma.
- Cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds heat to the dish and makes it more tasteful. You can adjust this ingredient according to your liking.
- Cilantro: Fresh grassy flavor of cilantro is the right choice to garnish this dish.
- Bouillon cubes: Bouillon cubes are a magical ingredient. They offer a savory and umami flavor to any dish. Adding it to the dish means you don’t have to worry about adding salt and other seasonings. Make sure you are choosing vegan bouillon cubes for this recipe.
- Water: Water will aid in cooking the green bananas until they are mushy. You can also add water to get some gravy.
