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Morogo with Tomatoes

Nutritious wild African spinach cooked with tomatoes and onions. A traditional vegetable dish packed with vitamins and minerals, perfect as a side dish with pap or seswaa.

25 minutes
Serves 4
Easy
Morogo - Wild African Spinach with Tomatoes

Ingredients

  • • 500g morogo (or spinach/sweet potato leaves)
  • • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • • 1 large onion, chopped
  • • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • • 3 medium tomatoes, diced
  • • 1 tsp salt
  • • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • • 1/4 cup water (optional)

Instructions

  1. 1. Prepare the greens: Wash the morogo thoroughly to remove any dirt or sand. Remove tough stems and roughly chop the leaves.
  2. 2. Sauté onions: Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. 3. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and fry for another 2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. 4. Add tomatoes: Add the diced tomatoes to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to soften and release their juices.
  5. 5. Cook the morogo: Add the morogo to the pan and stir well to combine with the onion and tomato mixture. The greens will wilt down significantly.
  6. 6. Season and simmer: Add salt and black pepper. If the mixture seems dry, add 1/4 cup of water. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. 7. Final cooking: Remove the lid and cook for another 5 minutes to reduce any excess moisture. The greens should be tender and glossy, not mushy.
  8. 8. Serve: Serve hot as a side dish with pap, seswaa, or any main meal.

Health Benefits: Morogo is extremely nutritious, rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. It's a traditional superfood that grows wild in Botswana and is often foraged by local communities.

Source: Traditional recipe from Woolworths TASTE and Paarman