East Africa · Street food
Bajiye (Spiced Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)
Crispy golden Somali black-eyed pea fritters loaded with fresh herbs, garlic, and hot green chilies.
The story
Bajiye is the quintessential afternoon street snack of southern Somalia, most iconic along the bustling markets of Mogadishu, Kismayo, and the riverine towns of the Lower Shabelle. Shared culturally across the Swahili coast and adapted from early Indian ocean traders, it is prepared by soaking raw dried black-eyed peas rather than using pre-cooked beans or flour. The key culinary nuance lies in grinding the soaked beans with minimal water, aerating the paste vigorously by hand to yield a shatteringly crisp shell that protects a soft, herbaceous interior.
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