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Home / Mains / Fall Soups and Stews

Cassava Leaf Soup

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Author: Imma Published:1/27/2014Updated:4/02/2021
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Cassava leaf soup also known as saka saka or pondu is a simple, yet tasty and substantial soup that is widely consumed in many parts of Central Africa especially in countries like Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

Cassava Leaf Soup

In the French speaking parts of Cameroon, it is disguised as Nwem – a more rustic version of this dish sometimes made with fresh corn, palm oil, with or without salt (Kwem sans sel).

Cassava Leaf Soup

Growing up I particularly disliked, kwem, was just not appealing to me, especially the salt less version. When I first tasted this Sierra Leone version from my wonderful sister in law, Mary. It was amazingly good –the inclusion of dried shrimp, meat and groundnut paste appealed to all my senses.

Cassava Leaf Soup

This exotic, cassava leaf soup is not actually a soup but sort of a stew. Can be prepared with any meat or fish. Most African countries use dry fish (smoked fish) in their soups for added flavor. I substitute smoked chicken in this recipe because that is what is readily available in my neck of the woods. Another good substitute is smoked turkey.

Cassava Leaf Soup

Cassava leaf is available ground and frozen in most African, Pilipino stores, if you are leaving abroad and want to purchase it .A good substitute would be – chopped spinach, you would have to blend it in a food processor for a fine consistency that is so distinctive of this soup.

Serve over white rice.

Enjoy

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Cassava Leaf Soup
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Cassava Leaf Soup

Cassava leaf soup also known as saka saka or pondu is a simple, yet tasty and substantial soup that is widely consumed in many parts of Central Africa especially in countries like Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
4.45 from 9 votes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins
African
Servings 5

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds frozen cassava leaves
  • 1 pound beef cut in bite size pieces
  • ½ pound smoked chicken,turkey, fish
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • ½ - 1 cup palm oil I used ½ palm oil and half canola oil
  • 1/2 cup ground cray fish dried shrimps
  • 4-5 tablespoon ground groundnuts peanut butter puree
  • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon or Maggie powder
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 1/2 - 1 pound shrimp optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan, season meat with salt, Maggi and onions and boil until tender, depending on the choice of meat. You should have at least 1-2 cups of stock. Remove the meat and beef stock, reserve
  • Heat oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat , add onions and crayfish l, sauté until fragrant about 1-2 minutes. Add beef and or / smoked meat .
  • Stir in peanut butter or groundnut paste, then add stock about a cup cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Throw in the drained cassava leaves and continue cooking for about 25 more minutes.
  • Finally if using shrimp add shrimp - cook until shrimp turns pink about 3-5 minutes.
  • Adjust seasonings (Maggie, salt, soup consistency with water and oil) to taste
  • Serve warm over rice

Tips & Notes:

  1. Can be prepared with any meat or fish. Most African countries use dry fish (smoked fish) in their soups for added flavor.
  2. If you can't find cassava leaves,  a good substitute would be chopped spinach. You would have to blend it in a food processor for a fine consistency that is so distinctive of this soup.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 382kcal (19%)| Carbohydrates: 11g (4%)| Protein: 34g (68%)| Fat: 22g (34%)| Saturated Fat: 7g (44%)| Cholesterol: 119mg (40%)| Sodium: 192mg (8%)| Potassium: 983mg (28%)| Sugar: 1g (1%)| Vitamin A: 3125IU (63%)| Vitamin C: 67.7mg (82%)| Calcium: 80mg (8%)| Iron: 4.3mg (24%)
Author: Imma
Course: Soup
Cuisine: African
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Nutrition Facts
Cassava Leaf Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 382 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 119mg40%
Sodium 192mg8%
Potassium 983mg28%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 34g68%
Vitamin A 3125IU63%
Vitamin C 67.7mg82%
Calcium 80mg8%
Iron 4.3mg24%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Cassava Leaf SOup

Cassava Leaf Soup

Cassava Leaf Soup

Cassava Leaf Soup

Cassava Leaf Soup

Cassava Leaf Soup

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Comments & Reviews
  1. Ngozi says

    Posted on 10/10 at 5:12AM

    I love this recipe so much

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 10/11 at 10:25AM

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Aset says

    Posted on 6/27 at 2:33PM

    Best recipe out here, been using it for years.

    Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 6/29 at 3:53AM

      Thank you, Aset! 🙂

      Reply
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