Sukuma Wiki (Kenyan Braised Collard Greens)
In short: Collard greens or kale sliced thin and cooked with onion and tomato until tender, Kenya's everyday side dish served beside ugali. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 190 kcal
Sukuma wiki means push the week in Swahili, a nod to how this cheap, filling green stretches the household budget until payday. Collard greens or kale are sliced thin and cooked quickly with onion and tomato so they stay bright and slightly firm. It is served beside ugali in homes across Kenya and eaten with beef stew, fried fish or eggs. A squeeze of lemon at the table brightens it.
Instructions
- Stack the leaves, roll them up tightly and slice crosswise into thin ribbons about 5 mm (1/4 in) wide. Wash and drain well.
- Heat the oil in a large, wide pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 6 minutes until golden, then stir in the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes and 1/2 tsp of the salt and cook for 5 minutes, mashing them, until pulpy.
- Add the greens in batches, stirring each batch until it wilts. Pour in the water, cover and cook for 5 to 8 minutes for collards, or 4 to 5 minutes for kale, until tender but still green.
- Uncover and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to boil off excess liquid. Season with the remaining salt and serve hot.
Tips
- Slice the leaves very thin so they cook quickly and keep some texture. Stop cooking as soon as they are tender to keep the color bright.
- For a more filling dish, stir in cooked beans or serve with chapati. A teaspoon of curry powder with the onions is another popular addition.
Questions and answers
What can I use instead of collard greens?
Kale, Swiss chard or spinach all work. Spinach cooks in about 2 minutes, so skip the covered cooking step.
What does sukuma wiki taste like?
Mildly bitter greens softened by sweet onion and tomato. A squeeze of lemon at the table lifts the flavor.
Can I make sukuma wiki ahead?
Yes. It keeps for 3 days in the fridge and freezes for up to 2 months. Reheat it gently so the greens do not turn mushy.
How long does it take to make Sukuma Wiki (Kenyan Braised Collard Greens)?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sukuma Wiki (Kenyan Braised Collard Greens)?
About 190 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 18 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 190 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 620 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
