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Zaame (Spiced Rice with Smoked Fish and Vegetables)
A smoky, fragrant Niger River pilaf of broken rice, flaked smoked fish, and tender vegetables simmered in fermented locust bean broth.
The story
Bambara and Bozo communities along the Niger River eat this hearty one-pot pilaf for weekday midday dinners after long morning shifts on the water and in the fields. The dish relies heavily on riverine preservation methods, celebrating the intense umami of sun-dried and smoke-cured catfish. A technical nuance practiced by master cooks is steaming the rinsed broken rice above the aromatic vegetable broth before submerging it, ensuring every grain stays separate rather than turning glutinous.
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