These Are Five Of The Most Outrageous African Foods! (Photos)

*Think of all the bizarre foods you have ever eaten or heard of in your life. Go ahead, think. *

Now, imagine something fifty times more outrageous. Congratulations! you just went halfway in imagining some of the most bizarre foods on the continent of Africa. Africa is known for its beautifully rich and diverse culture. It is also known for constantly breaking out of the norm and being a strange place indeed.

This article contains a list of five of the  most outrageous kinds of delicacies consumed by Africans. Bear in mind, that real people eat these meals. People just like you. So wear your adventure capes, and come on with me on this journey that will awaken taste buds you never thought you had.

THE MOPANE WORM
Our journey starts in three countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. These beautiful countries have a delicacy in common ; the ‘Mopane worm’. The fact that it is a delicacy common to three different countries must mean that it is both highly nutritious and delicious. The *Imbralsia belina *(Mopane worm) is a staple food for many people in Africa, despite the fact that it is not your regular sort of cuisine. The worms can grow to a very large size upon maturity, but they are rarely giving the chance to due to the frequency with which they are hunted down.

They are found in trees and bushes and plucked from there by the ‘worm hunters’ if you wish to call them that. The preparation process for this delicacy is relatively simple and gives lots of room for creativity. The first thing that is done to the worms after they are gathered is to squeeze them in order to get rid of  their guts. After the worms are cleaned , they are boiled up with ingredients such as garlic, ginger , pepper and tomatoes. The worms are then given a quick fry up and eaten straight out of the pot or pan.  When cooked right, they are rumoured to taste just like chicken. How true that claim is, I don’t know but I hope you find out.

(Photo credit: TopTenz)

KIFO: THE ETHIOPIAN RAW MEAT DISH
If you think you have tasted the rarest steak ever, think again: the Ethiopians have it better (or worse, depending on how you see it!).

The meat, fresh and glistening with blood holds the promise of a good and wonderfully cooked meal. The Ethiopians turn it up a notch  and appreciate raw meat so much that they eat it raw! They call raw meat Tera Sega. The dish, (if it can be called that) that’s made out of raw meat is kifo. This is for the people who can not stomach the thought of slurping down a still warm chunk of meat.  It’s reminiscent of a Lion devouring the carcass of an Antelope. The kifo can be prepared in several ways, but the most popular options are to have it either marinated in spices (mitimta) or rolled in hot and spicy chilly powder (kebbeh). I’m sure you’re wondering why the meat cannot just be cooked. However, the Ethiopians did not decide to start eating raw meat just like that. It is a practice that’s steeped deep in their culture. In the olden days, warriors would rather eat raw meat than run the risk of enemies spotting cooking fires in the camp. Such dedication is admirable. People who are adventurous enough to try this dish are advised to have deworming tablets ready. This because raw meat, although containing high levels of potassium and Vitamin B can lead to tape worms.

(source- OpenWalls)

POISONOUS BULLFROGS – A NAMIBIAN DELIGHT
The French are known for eating lots of bizarre dishes and giving them exquisite names.  For example, éscargot is the name that is given to snails. They also indulge in eating the lower half of frogs.

However, Namibians prove that they are fiercer by eating the whole Giant Bullfrog, even at the risk of getting poisoned. People who eat immature or badly prepared bullfrogs run the risk of getting kidney failure known locally as oshiketakata due to the poison in the frog. The wise Namibians, have devised different ways of cooking it to neutralise the poison.

People in the Oshakati/Ongwediva region line their cooking pots with wood from the omuhongo tree ; while those in the Okambebe/ Oshikango region use wood from The omeva/ oshipeke trees. So next time you hear  a croak, remember that you have a potential delicacy waiting for you.

(source – Work Break Travel)

BLOOD AND MILK – THE MASAI MIXTURE
Now, the Masai in Kenya are known for their fearlessness. They kill Lions with their bare hands. The secret of their valiance is Blood. Yes you read right, the Masai drink blood. Just like mythical Greek gods drank Ambrosia, a mixture of milk and honey to grant then strength, the valiant Masai choose instead to have a drink of fresh warm blood from their cattle. The cow’s jugular is nicked and the amount of blood needed is collected into a calabash. A mixture of mud and hot ash is then used to seal the wound. The blood is mixed with milk and drunk. It is said to have great healing powers, and it is usually given to the sick.

(Source: Flickr)

THE NSENENE (GRASSHOPPER) DISH
Grasshoppers are little lively creatures and are beautiful to look at too. They have good camouflage skills and their natural green colour helps them blend into the grass . Ugandans have proved to be keen hunters as these jumping insects are a major part of their cuisine. The grasshoppers are called nsenene and are traditionally roasted or friend before being spiced and eaten.

Catching them involves using a net, or a bucket and tin contraption. They come out predominantly in April, May and November and during these months they are a common feature in the meals of many families. To prepare them, wings and legs are plucked off the insect. The insect is then thrown into a pan to fry. They produce their own ‘oil’ while being cooked and this of course adds a unique flavour to the delicacy. Salt and pepper can be added too. A variation of this delicacy can be found among the people of Northern Nigeria. They enjoy eating the fried or roasted legs of grasshoppers. They call it fara. * It is best enjoyed with a cold drink of *kunu.

(Source: Flickr)

This brings us to the end of our journey to finding five of the most outrageous African delicacies. There are many more delectable dishes that are peculiar to the amazing people of Africa. I hope you would be adventurous enough to try out these dishes.