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Kanda ti Nyma (Central African Meatballs in Crushed Egusi Sauce)
Juicy beef and pumpkin seed meatballs poached in an aromatic garlic-tomato reduction from the Central African Republic.
The story
Kanda is the definitive centerpiece of Central African Republic household cuisine, showcasing the regional reverence for egusi (crushed pumpkin or melon seeds). In this heritage preparation, the seeds are ground into a binder and seasoning for beef meatballs, which poach directly in a rich tomato and chili broth. It is traditionally shared from a communal platter with steaming cassava porridge (ngoundja) or sticky gozo.
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