
West Africa · Street food
Fish Pie (Spiced Minced Fish Hand Turnovers)
Golden, flaky crescent hand pies stuffed with flaked white fish, caramelized aromatics, scotch bonnet, and pungent West African seasonings.
The story
Ubiquitous along coastal urban thoroughfares like Serekunda and Bakau, Gambian fish pies are the premier afternoon teatime and street corner snack. Influenced by British baking traditions yet transformed with Atlantic fish and fiery seasonings, they reflect the dynamism of urban Gambian street food. A traditional baker secret is incorporating a splash of cold vinegar into the pastry dough to relax gluten and keep the crust short and flaky when fried.
Cook this next

Kanya (Toasted Peanut and Gari Brittle Candy)
Crisp, melt-in-the-mouth crumbly Gambian peanut squares made from dry-roasted groundnuts and fine toasted cassava gari.

Nyambeh Nyebeh (Stewed Cassava and Beans in Spiced Palm Oil)
Tender cassava root and hearty black-eyed peas simmered in rich unrefined red palm oil with smoked fish, scotch bonnet, and caramelized onions.

Oleleh (Steamed Savory Black-Eyed Pea Pudding Cakes)
Silky, savory steamed black-eyed pea parcels enriched with red palm oil, shredded smoked fish, and aromatic peppers steamed in banana leaves.

Akara (Crispy Deep-Fried Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)
Crisp golden West African black-eyed pea fritters with a fluffy soufflé-like interior, spiced with scotch bonnet and onion.