In The Gambia, most dishes that are prepared rely on ingredients from the garden, farm or local market. Households often grow various vegetables, such as bitter tomato, pepper and onions in their gardens. Agriculture and farming is the most common occupation in The Gambia. The major staple crops are groundnut, millet and corn; you will almost always find one of these in every Gambian dish! Not only are these crops used to prepare food for their own families, but often, farmers will sell their products in local markets to generate income. The other major staple that is also used in Gambian food is rice. Some communities grow rice locally, but the majority of the country relies heavily on imported rice from countries such as India and Brazil.
