West Africa · Soup
Kpalogo Dessi (Rich Cassava Leaf Stew)
Silky pounded cassava leaves braised with smoked fish, beef, rich groundnut paste, and red palm oil into a deeply savory, earthy stew.
The story
Originating from the forested Plateaux and Central regions of Togo, Kpalogo Dessi is the quintessential centerpiece for leisurely Sunday family gatherings. Traditionally, tender young cassava leaves are stripped and pounded vigorously in a wooden mortar alongside local bird's eye chilies to break down fibrous cellular walls. An essential technical detail is the preliminary long boil without a lid, which releases naturally occurring hydrocyanic compounds from the fresh greens before the rich groundnut base and smoked proteins are folded into the pot.
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