Food is one of the best ways to learn about a new place. Since arriving in Zambia, I have noticed that meals are an important part of family and community life. The most common food here is called nshima. It is eaten almost every day and is considered the foundation of a meal.
Nshima is a thick food made from ground maize, which is corn. Nshima does not have a strong flavor on its own. Its purpose is to serve as the base of the meal. It is eaten together with foods called “relish”, which include vegetables, beans, meat, or fish cooked in sauce.
Nshima is traditionally eaten with the hands. Before eating, people wash their hands. Using the right hand, a small piece of nshima is pinched off and rolled into a ball. The thumb is used to press a small indentation into the ball. This indentation helps scoop up the relish. The nshima and relish are then eaten together in one bite.
It is not meant to be chewed for a long time. Instead, it is soft enough to swallow easily after being mixed with the stew or vegetables.
Eating nshima is not only about nutrition. It is also about sharing.
