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Morogo
Greens with tomato and onion
Morogo: Sepedi-style leafy greens stewed with onion and tomato
Out in Limpopo and on the edges of Gauteng, morogo is the word for edible leaves, and a pot of them simmering with onion and tomato is what turns a plate of stiff pap into supper. In villages the leaves come from amaranth, cowpea or pumpkin plants picked in the yard; at home you can use shop-bought amaranth or pumpkin leaves from an African grocer, or plain spinach mixed with a little kale, which gives a very similar soft, earthy, slightly mineral result. The greens cook down until silky and dark, with sweet tomato and a little chilli running through them. Serve with pap, samp and beans or a pile of rice, and eat it with your hands, rolling a ball of pap through the greens. Chef's tip: let the onion and tomato fry down to a thick jam before the leaves go in, otherwise the morogo ends up watery and bland.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb spinachor amaranth or pumpkin leaves from an African grocer; thick stalks removed, roughly chopped
- 3 ½ oz kalestalks removed, shredded; leave out if using amaranth or pumpkin leaves
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 onionlarge, chopped
- 2 ripe tomatoeschopped
- 1 green chillifinely chopped, seeds in or out
- ¾ tsp salt
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Method
0/6 doneStep 2: Warm 2 tbsp sunflower oil in a wide pot over a medium heat. Add 1 onion and fry, stirring, until soft and turning golden at the edges.
5 minStep 3: Add 2 ripe tomatoes, 1 green chilli and ⅜ tsp salt. Cook, mashing with the spoon, until the tomato has broken down and the oil starts to glisten at the edges of the paste.
4 minStep 5: Cover, lower the heat and cook until the leaves are dark, silky and tender and most of the liquid has gone. Lift the lid for the last minute if it still looks wet.
4 minStep 6: Season with the rest of ⅜ tsp salt, taste, and serve hot with pap.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 9 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does morogo take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 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 onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of ripe tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
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