Ravitoto (Malagasy Pork with Pounded Cassava Leaves)
In short: Pork simmered for hours with pounded cassava leaves, garlic and ginger into a dense, savory stew served over rice, sometimes finished with coconut milk. It takes about 2 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 2 h
- Total
- 2 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Ravitoto is a highland favorite, a dense, dark-green laoka of pounded cassava leaves cooked slowly with fatty pork, garlic and onion. In Malagasy markets the leaves are sold already pounded, which makes the stew easy to start. It is rich and savory, a little bitter, and always served with plenty of plain rice. Coastal cooks stir in coconut milk toward the end for a softer, sweeter finish.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot and brown the pork for 10 minutes, turning, until golden on several sides. Spoon off excess fat if the pot looks swimming in it.
- Add the onion, garlic and ginger and cook for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Squeeze the thawed cassava leaves in a colander to remove excess water. Add them to the pot with the water, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. Cassava leaves must always be cooked for at least this long.
- Continue simmering, partly covered, for 60 to 75 minutes, stirring now and then, until the pork is very tender and the sauce is thick. Add a splash of water if it begins to stick.
- Stir in the coconut milk, if using, and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve hot over rice with sakay on the side.
Tips
- Frozen cassava leaves are sold in African and Asian grocery stores, sometimes labeled pondu or saka-saka. Without them, use collard greens and spinach and simmer for 40 minutes.
- A fatty cut gives the best flavor. Skim the surface at the end if the stew looks oily, or add a piece of smoked pork for extra depth.
Questions and answers
Is ravitoto the same as other cassava leaf stews?
They share the main ingredient, but Malagasy ravitoto is usually cooked with pork, garlic, ginger and onion, with no palm oil, and is served over plain rice.
Are cassava leaves safe to eat?
Yes, once cooked properly. They must always be boiled or simmered for at least 30 minutes, and never eaten raw.
Can I freeze ravitoto?
Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash of water.
How long does it take to make Ravitoto (Malagasy Pork with Pounded Cassava Leaves)?
About 2 h 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 2 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Ravitoto (Malagasy Pork with Pounded Cassava Leaves)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 27 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
