Tinkhobe (Swazi Boiled Whole Maize)
In short: Whole dried maize kernels soaked overnight and simmered until tender and chewy, served salted as a snack or beside a stew. It takes about 2 h 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 2 h 30 min
- Resting
- 10 h
- Total
- 2 h 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 185 kcal
Tinkhobe are whole maize kernels, boiled until tender, a simple food that Swazi families eat as a snack, a side dish or part of a bigger meal. The kernels are soaked overnight and cooked for a couple of hours, then seasoned with salt. They stay chewy and mildly sweet, which is why they pair so well with a rich stew or a plate of greens. A pressure cooker saves a lot of time.
Instructions
- Rinse the maize in a colander. Put it in a large bowl, cover with water by 5 cm (2 inches) and soak for 8 to 12 hours.
- Drain the maize and put it in a large pot with fresh water to cover by 5 cm (2 inches). Add the soaked beans now if using them.
- Bring to a boil and skim off any foam. Turn the heat down, partly cover and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, topping up with hot water as needed, until the kernels are tender and a few have split open.
- Stir in the salt for the last 15 minutes of cooking.
- Drain, or leave a little of the cooking liquid for a looser dish. Serve warm, on its own with a little more salt, or beside a meat stew or cooked greens.
Tips
- A pressure cooker cooks soaked kernels in about 40 minutes. Use enough water to cover them by 5 cm (2 inches), and let the pressure release naturally.
- Salt late. Adding it at the start can toughen dried maize skins, so wait until the kernels are nearly tender.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between tinkhobe and samp?
Samp is dried maize that has been lightly cracked, so it cooks faster. Tinkhobe are whole kernels. You can use samp here if you cut the cooking time to about 1 1/2 hours.
Can I freeze tinkhobe?
Yes. Cool it, portion it with a little of the cooking liquid and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a pan with a splash of water.
Can I use canned hominy?
Yes, for a shortcut. Drain and rinse 2 cans (about 800 g / 28 oz) and warm them through with a pinch of salt. The texture will be softer.
How long does it take to make Tinkhobe (Swazi Boiled Whole Maize)?
About 2 h 40 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 2 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tinkhobe (Swazi Boiled Whole Maize)?
About 185 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 185 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 575 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
