FOOD NEWS
Kachumbari Is The Kenyan Tomato Salad You Should Know
BY NIKITA EPHANOV
Although tomatoes are believed to have originated in South America, the fruit appears in cuisines around the world, including Eastern Africa’s kachumabi tomato salad.
Kachumbari is made with a base of fresh tomatoes and onions along with citrus juice, salt, and sometimes alcohol to create a boldly flavored, fresh meal.
Although strongly associated with Kenya, kachumbari is enjoyed across East Africa, and is usually served as a side to nyama choma (barbecue-like meats) or ugali corn porridge.
The salad sometimes incorporates a whole bulb of onion, which can be tempered by soaking it in cold water to curtail its bite before mixing it with the tomatoes.
The dish is rounded out with moderately spicy jalapeños or spicier bird’s eye chilies, along with the juice of half a lemon or lime, cilantro, and olive oil.
The components are all roughly chopped, and everything is mixed in a bowl with seasonings. Some recipes include avocado, mango, pineapple, or even vodka or gin.