Nhopi (Zimbabwean Spiced Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Mash with Braised Beans) – Authentic Zimbabwe Recipe
Traditional Zimbabwean harvest dish blending sweet golden pumpkin with savory roasted peanut butter.
- Country of Origin
- 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe (Southern Africa, Africa)
- Dietary Profile
- vegan
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Sweet winter pumpkin or Hubbard squash whipped with smooth peanut butter, Simmered red sugar beans in tomato-garlic sauce, Sautéed spinach, Cinnamon pinch, Nutmeg
Ingredients for Nhopi (Zimbabwean Spiced Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Mash with Braised Beans) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) sweet winter pumpkin or Hubbard squash whipped with smooth peanut butter, prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups simmered red sugar beans in tomato-garlic sauce, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup sautéed spinach
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with cinnamon pinch
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Zimbabwe seasoning (nutmeg, garlic, sweet onion)
- 2.5 cups rich culinary stock or aromatic cooking liquid, plus 2 tbsp cooking oil
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat; brown sweet winter pumpkin or Hubbard squash whipped with smooth peanut butter for 5 minutes.
- Add minced onion, garlic, cinnamon pinch, and nutmeg, garlic, sweet onion, stirring for 2 minutes until deeply aromatic.
- Add simmered red sugar beans in tomato-garlic sauce and pour in the braising liquid; bring to a lively simmer.
- Cover and braise over medium-low heat for 20–22 minutes until meltingly tender and the sauce is rich and glossy.
- Stir in sautéed spinach right before serving warm.