Sao Tomean clam, pumpkin and peanut stew with greens served in a bowl on a bed of rice
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Matata (Clam, Pumpkin and Peanut Stew)

Matata (Clam, Pumpkin and Peanut Stew) is a traditional Sao Tomean recipe for a classic stew of clams, pumpkin and peanuts cooked in a tomato and onion base flavoured with chillies. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Sao Tomean version of: Clam, Pumpkin and Peanut Stew (Matata).

prep time

20 minutes

cook time

50 minutes

Total Time:

70 minutes

Serves:

6–8

Rating: 4.5 star rating

Tags : Chilli RecipesStew RecipesFish RecipesShellfish RecipesVegetable RecipesSao-tome Recipes

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This is a rare example of a native Mozambican dish, one that has not been influenced by Portuguese cuisine.

Ingredients:

400g cooked or tinned clams, drained
750g pumpkin flesh, cubed
1 onion, chopped
60ml olive oil
100g peanuts, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, finely diced
1/2 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
1 tbsp salt
50g greens, shredded (pumpkin greens, spinach, cabbage etc)
1 tsp coarsely crushed dried piri-piri chillies

Method:

Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and fry for about 5 minutes, or until softened but not coloured. At this point stir in the clams, tomatoes and peanuts. Add the crushed chillies and season with the salt and black pepper.

Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, for 30 minutes then stir in the diced pumpkin and the shredded greens. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for about 15 minutes more, or until the pumpkin pieces are tender.

Serve hot, accompanied by rice.