Staple Foods

The Zambian people definitely have staple foods that they eat every day. Nshima is the main staple. It is ground maize that is cooked very thick. The ground is larger then grits. The consistency between that of grits and polenta. It is white in color and the Zambian people eat this at least twice a day. They mold it in their hands and use it to sop up the juice and contents of another staple called relish. This relish is what I would describe as stewed vegetables. It usually has a green, tomatoes and onions in it and then a sauce. It is one of their primary sources of vegetables. Beans are another commonly eaten food. One of my favorite food items here is something called ground nuts. They obviously by their name are grown in the ground and look like peanuts but they have a much milder flavor and are roasted in a skillet on the stove or a fire. Eggs, bananas (the best in the world) and tea are also very common foods. Of course at the supermarkets one can find most anything.

As an indication of the rapid globalization and commercialism in this country in the past two years what was a small strip mall at Manda Hill is now a two story full fledged inside mall, there is a Subway, KFC and a McDonalds (UGH!).