Setswana Pumpkin & Peanut Mash (Bogobe jwa Lerotse Style) – Authentic Botswana Recipe

Ingredients for Setswana Pumpkin & Peanut Mash (Bogobe jwa Lerotse Style) (4 Servings)

• 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) sweet orange pumpkin or butternut squash, prepped into bite-sized pieces
• 1.5 cups smooth peanut butter or ground peanuts, washed and trimmed
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with sea salt
• 1.5 tbsp traditional Botswana seasoning (touch of brown sugar, ginger pinch)
• 2.5 cups rich culinary stock or aromatic cooking liquid, plus 2 tbsp cooking oil

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a heavy Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat; brown sweet orange pumpkin or butternut squash for 5 minutes.
2. Add minced onion, garlic, sea salt, and touch of brown sugar, ginger pinch, stirring for 2 minutes until deeply aromatic.
3. Add smooth peanut butter or ground peanuts and pour in the braising liquid; bring to a lively simmer.
4. Cover and braise over medium-low heat for 20–22 minutes until meltingly tender and the sauce is rich and glossy.
5. Stir in yellow cornmeal right before serving warm.