Malawi Delicacy-Mice Kebabs!!!!!!

LOVING IT! MICE KEBABS AND ME

TENDY KISHINDO

Malawi not only has diverse cultures in its three regions, it’s also the home of many great delicacies one of which is the field mouse. As you drive along the M1 road travelling either from the northern tip of Malawi to the southern tip or vice versa, you will always find young boys holding out little sticks that look like kebabs. Now one might be confused as to what exactly they are holding out, the boys are selling ‘nyama ya m’munda’ which literally translates ‘meat from the garden’ or as I love to call them ‘mice kebabs!’

Ordinarily meat does not come from the garden, for that’s where you grow vegetables, but this is where the mice burrow. Like rabbits, deer and other types of game, the field or garden mouse is hunted with great zest and agility for the mice are rather quick and clever at escaping. The hunters first build a trap during the daytime outside the burrow, and wait for nightfall for the hunt. When caught, the mice are prepared, salted and sun dried. Some like to take it up a notch and prefer to use chilies to add a little bite to this crunchy delight.

The mice can either be cooked or roasted on an open fire depending on your fancy. When prepared well, mice kebabs have been compared to biltong. Biltong is sundried beef or game meat. When roasted the kebabs are a deceitfully-hard-looking meat that just melts away in your mouth with a surprising crunchiness. And when a beer is added, the chemistry is complete. However, when cooked, the gravy is divine, and nsima, the national staple, is the recommended accompanying dish.

The mice kebabs will leave you with a taste of

Malawi you will never forget. The kebabs are by far a mouthwatering delicacy for me, and a joyful discovery for food lovers as I am sure you would agree when you try them. So this year as you drive to Lake of Stars in Mangochi, do not hesitate to stop and buy some, never mind the haggling and the many hands with mice kebabs being shoved in your face, that is part of

the whole adventure and fun that is the Lake of Stars experience and our team will be more than glad to have them prepared for you. Happy discoveries!