Baku Kitchen! An independent reference of traditional food

Somalia

Somalia’s food is built around nomadic and coastal cuisine: camel and goat, spiced rice, pasta from Italian rule, sweet halva and spiced tea. Look for Canjeero (small spongy fermented pancakes eaten with ghee, sugar or stew), Bariis iskukaris (xawaash-spiced rice cooked with goat or camel meat and raisins) and Baasto (italian-legacy spaghetti with suugo suqaar sauce, sometimes banana alongside). Also called lahoh, a batter of sorghum or flour fermented overnight and griddled on one side; kin to Ethiopian injera and Yemeni lahoh. This atlas has 30 Somalia dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.

30 dishes.

BaastoBaastoItalian-legacy spaghetti with suugo suqaar sauce, sometimes banana alongsideBajiyaBajiyablack-eyed pea fritters spiced with garlic and chiliBariis iskukarisBariis iskukarisxawaash-spiced rice cooked with goat or camel meat and raisinsBasbaasBasbaasGreen chili, coriander and lime relish set on every tableCaano geelCaano geelFresh camel milk drunk warm and unpasteurised, the herder's daily sustenanceCambaaburCambaaburLacy fermented pancake dusted with sugar and yoghurt, eaten at EidCambuuloCambuuloSlow-cooked azuki beans finished with butter and sugar, eaten at supperCanjeeroCanjeerosmall spongy fermented pancakes eaten with ghee, sugar or stewCasiirCasiirThick layered fruit juice of mango, avocado and papaya with milkDigaag qumbeDigaag qumbeChicken braised in coconut milk with xawaash spice, eaten with riceGaroorGaroorSoured camel milk left to ferment in a gourd, drunk tart and thinHilib ariHilib ariGoat meat boiled then fried in its own fat, piled on rice with bananaHilib geelHilib geelCamel meat simmered or grilled, served with rice or flatbreadKac kacKac kacFried dough diamonds, lightly sweet and crispMacsharoMacsharoGround rice and coconut batter baked into a soft sweet cakeMalawaxMalawaxSweet thin pancake of flour, egg and sugar, eaten with teaMaraqMaraqClear goat or camel broth with potato and coriander, spooned over riceMuufoMuufoclay-oven corn flatbread crumbled into stews or sweet teaNafaqoNafaqoMashed potato wrapped round a boiled egg, breaded and deep-friedOdkacOdkacsun-dried meat jerky preserved in spiced ghee, traveler's foodSabayadSabayadflaky layered griddle flatbread served sweet or savorySambuusSambuuscrisp samosa filled with spiced minced meat, beloved during RamadanShaah cadaysShaah cadaysmilky spiced tea with cardamom and clovesSoorSoorStiff maize or sorghum porridge, eaten with milk, ghee or stewSubagSubagClarified butter, often camel or goat, poured over rice and used to preserve meatSuqaarSuqaarSmall-diced beef, camel or goat flash-fried with onion, pepper and xawaashSuugo suqaarSuugo suqaarSpiced tomato sauce with diced meat, ladled over Somali spaghettiSuusacSuusacCamel milk soured in a smoked gourd until tangy and slightly fizzyXalwoXalwogelatinous sugar, ghee and cardamom sweet served at celebrationsXawaashXawaashHouse spice mix of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom and clove

  • Bajiya

    Black-eyed pea fritters spiced with garlic and chili. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 25 minutes cooking. Makes about 30.…

  • Basbaas

    Green chili, coriander and lime relish set on every table. Ready in 15 minutes prep and none cooking. About 300…

  • Cambaabur

    Lacy fermented pancake dusted with sugar and yoghurt, eaten at Eid. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 20 minutes cooking.…

  • Cambuulo

    Slow-cooked azuki beans finished with butter and sugar, eaten at supper. Ready in 10 minutes prep and 2 hours cooking.…

  • Casiir

    Thick layered fruit juice of mango, avocado and papaya with milk. Ready in 20 minutes prep and none cooking. Serves…

  • Digaag qumbe

    Chicken braised in coconut milk with xawaash spice, eaten with rice. Ready in 30 minutes prep and 50 minutes cooking.…

  • Garoor

    Soured camel milk left to ferment in a gourd, drunk tart and thin. 20 min to prepare. Makes about 1.5…

  • Hilib ari

    Goat meat boiled then fried in its own fat, piled on rice with banana. Ready in 25 minutes prep and…

  • Hilib geel

    Camel meat simmered or grilled, served with rice or flatbread. Ready in 30 minutes prep and 2 hours 30 minutes…

  • Kac kac

    Fried dough diamonds, lightly sweet and crisp. Ready in 30 minutes prep and 25 minutes cooking. About 40 pieces. A…