Central Africa · Side
Nkumu à l'Oseille (Gnetum Greens with Wild Sorrel and Smoked Fish)
Finely shredded Gnetum leaves stewed with tangy wild sorrel, rich peanut paste, and flakes of aromatic smoked fish.
The story
Among the Punu and Nzebi communities in the lush Ngounié and Nyanga provinces of Gabon, Nkumu is the essential evening green vegetable relish that anchors family dinners. The tough, glossy leaves of wild liana Gnetum africanum require meticulous chiffonade cutting into hair-thin strands to tenderize the durable forest greens. The addition of wild red sorrel leaves imparts an indispensable sharp acidity that cuts through the earthy richness of native groundnut paste and hot palm oil.
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