East Africa · Breakfast
Mbaazi za Nazi (Pigeon Peas Simmered in Coconut Milk)
A coastal Swahili delicacy of tender pigeon peas simmered in spiced coconut milk and rich coconut cream.
The story
A quintessential cornerstone of Swahili coastal breakfast culture, Mbaazi za Nazi is savored throughout Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and Tanga. It is most famously served every morning alongside hot, freshly fried mahamri for dunking, especially during festive Eid mornings and leisurely family weekends. The dish relies on the traditional Swahili two-stage coconut extraction method: first simmering the pulses in light coconut milk (tui jepesi) to infuse flavor, then finishing with rich first-press cream (tui zito) off the boil to maintain pure emulsion.
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