In many ways, the whole Chakalaka story is a perfect illustration of the multicultural nature of South Africa. A bunch of Mozambican mineworkers in Johannesburg, coming off shift, whip up a spicy relish to accompany their maize pap. Feed the man chakalaka and pap! This dish is most often made from tinned tomatoes, beans, onion, garlic, chilli and curry powder. Its spicy quality represents a Portuguese influence and tells another strand of the migratory story of the genesis of South Africa. The Rainbow nation has so many unique fusion flavours created from the admixture of peoples from all over. The best chakalaka in Sydney sometimes comes out of a can, transporting the soul of South Africa to expats around the world.
South African Chakalaka is a Vegetable Relish
South African chakalaka is a vegetable relish with a thousand different faces, according to the creator and the many variations on a theme possible for this yummy soupy sauce. Some folks add carrot, capsicum, and you can use baked beans or another type of legume bean. The chakalaka is great with a braai, as a spicy pickle to accompany the meat. Traditionally served with maize pap, which is a stiff porridge made from ground maize meal. The best chakalaka in Sydney can be found in the homes of expat South Africans and in a good South African speciality grocery store.
Chakalaka Captures the Hearts of Many
Chakalaka in a tin comes in extra hot, hot, and mild and spicy. You can also buy a bag of chakalaka spice mix premade. Chakalaka is, also, used as a spicy flavouring for cured and dried meats like Biltong and Wors. In Soweto, some call it a salad and chakalaka is one of those simple but true dishes born out of necessity and poverty. It is, however, often the simple things in life which capture the hearts of many and brandish staying power to boot.
The best chakalaka in Sydney is available online; and this innocuous looking little tin can transform a meal into a tangy feast. It may not quite be the fishes and the loaves, but it does go very well with bread. Get a taste of the townships of South Africa and spice up your next repast. It goes down exceedingly well with lager on a warm day. It can, also, be matched with a zesty zinfandel or a Portuguese rose. Chakalaka it sounds like a dance move and tastes like a hot dream.