Forget the look, there is nothing there. The story, the real story is in the taste! Boy oh boy, AMUKEKE! Sun-dried sweet potatoes, boiled to a fault and then mashed to whisper and infused with groundnut or sim-sim paste. Now, that is amukeke, a delicacy in Teso, a way to many an Itesot’s hearts!
To the visitors, the look these dried sweet potatoes later adopted is not appeasing. Not one bit. But dare we say, that the sweet and salty combination melting in one’s mouth will change this perception. Note however that no one, not even those who have done it for a while, dares to eat amukeke without some water or tea on the side. You could choke! See, it’s easy to get carried away by this mash, but you don’t want to be choking on this good without some water beside you.
In a bid to preserve their sweet potatoes, the people from the East and North-Eastern parts of Uganda, choose to sun dry it, like they do various foods. For a region that endures long drought spells, and then again plenty of rain, this just seemed like a wise thing to do. A safety net of sorts. Though mostly consumed during breakfast, it is easily a choice for brunch as well. It feels ‘snacky’ and yet just as full-filling.
Recipe
- Peel and slice fresh sweet potatoes
- Put them to dry under the sun until they turn pale
- Wash and put in a saucepan of water
- Salt is optional
- Boil till soft and mash
- Add a groundnut or sim-sim paste and simmer
- Or you could just serve and put the pastes on the side
Serve with tea.
Amukeke: May the real Iteso stand up!
NB: No one, not even those who have done it for a while, dares to eat amukeke without some water or tea on the side. You could choke!
