West Africa · Side
Placali (Fermented Cassava Dough Starch)
Translucent, sour, and elastic fermented cassava swallow paste traditional to southern Ivorian coastal feasts.
The story
Placali is a deeply comforting fermented cassava dough cherished by the coastal Ebrié and Alladian peoples of southern Côte d'Ivoire. Eaten during morning labor breaks and long mid-day dinners, it forms an indispensable pair with mucilaginous okra and palm nut broths. The characteristic tangy flavor and gelatinous stretch develop through lactic fermentation of cassava pulp, requiring continuous, vigorous wooden paddle work during reduction.
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