While reading Footsteps 43 on encouraging change, a reader from Kenya wondered whether cassava leaves are edible. Two people have responded with recipes. Mr Gilbert comments, ‘The majority of people in our country (Democratic Republic of Congo) eat them as basic green vegetables.’ He shares the most common method used in the Bunia region where he lives. Mr Ramampiandra of Madagascar says that cassava leaves are widely used in his country.
Preparation
Recipe one
Recipe two
Cook the ground cassava leaves with pieces of pork meat and fat, a little salt and enough water to cover. Cook gently for an hour.
Recipe three
Cook the ground cassava leaves with plenty of groundnut paste, a little salt and enough water to cover. Cook gently for 30 minutes.
Remember that some varieties of cassava contain a lot of the poison cyanide. Use ‘sweet’ cassava varieties. After cooking, the above mixtures should not taste bitter. If they do, they should not be eaten.
Kabangu-Wa-Katanga Gilbert, c/o Father Mark Denecker, PO Box 134, Païdha, Uganda Christian Ramampiandra, BP 37, 321 – Vohipeno, Madagascar