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Haitian tchaka (vegetarian)
Tchaka: hominy, red bean and pumpkin stew, made without pork
Tchaka is a deeply rural Haitian stew of dried hominy corn, red beans and pumpkin, cooked low and slow until the corn bursts and the beans melt into a thick, sweet-savoury porridge. It is linked with harvest gatherings and Vodou feast days, and the classic pot usually holds smoked pork or pig's feet; this version leaves the meat out and builds depth with epis, smoked paprika and coconut oil instead. Soak the hominy and beans overnight, because skipping the soak is the main reason tchaka stays chalky. Serve it on its own in bowls, with pikliz on the side. Chef's tip: mash a cupful of the pumpkin against the pot wall near the end; it thickens the stew far better than flour.
- Total time
- 150 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 9 oz dried white hominy cornsoaked overnight
- 7 oz dried red kidney beanssoaked overnight
- 2.5 litres water
- 1 ⅛ lb pumpkinpeeled, cut into 3 cm cubes
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 onionchopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 1 scotch bonnet pepperwhole
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 limeto serve
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Drain 9 oz dried white hominy corn and 7 oz dried red kidney beans and put them in a large heavy pot with 2.5 litres water and 2 bay leaves. Boil hard for 10 minutes, which makes the kidney beans safe, then lower the heat.
10 minStep 2: Simmer, partly covered, for 1 hour 15 minutes, until the beans are tender and the hominy kernels have started to split open. Top up with hot water so everything stays covered.
75 minStep 3: Meanwhile warm 2 tbsp coconut oil in a frying pan and fry 1 onion for 6 minutes until soft and golden. Stir in 3 tbsp Haitian epis (green seasoning) and 1 tsp smoked paprika and cook 1 minute more.
7 minStep 4: Scrape the onion mixture into the pot with 1 ⅛ lb pumpkin, 3 whole cloves, 4 sprigs thyme and 1 scotch bonnet pepper. Simmer gently for 40 minutes, stirring now and then so the bottom doesn't catch.
40 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 14 g
- Carbs
- 64 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 13 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does haitian tchaka (vegetarian) take?
- About 150 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 130 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of bay leaves?
- Leave it out, or a pinch of dried thyme (it's a background flavour).
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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