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Kaluun Foorno (Oven-Baked Spiced Coastal Fish)
Succulent whole white fish baked over vibrant bell peppers and potatoes with xawaash spice and tamarind marinade.
The story
A specialty of the Benadiri coast and the historic port towns of Puntland like Bosaso, Kaluun Foorno highlights Somalia's deep maritime heritage along the longest coastline in mainland Africa. Served prominently at Friday family lunch gatherings, it showcases the Indian Ocean trade influences through its heavy use of warm spices and citrus. A traditional coastal technique involves scoring the fish deeply and massaging it with both wet aromatics and dry xawaash so the gelatinous skin crisps while the flesh bastes inside a vegetable bed.
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