Matata

Description

Clam and peanut stew. Matata is a typical Mozambique entree made with pumpkin leaves. We have used spinach as a substitute. This is one dish that wasn't influenced by the cooking of Portugal. Imagine a combination like clams and peanuts and tender young greens! You may want to hold out the crushed red pepper. Start without it and add it gradually, with discretion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup onions, chopped finely
• 2 oz olive oil
• 4 cups canned chopped clams
• 1 cup peanuts, chopped finely
• 2 tomatoes cut in small pieces
• 1 tbsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper.
• 1½ lbs fresh spinach (young leaves) chopped finely.
• 2 cups white rice
• 5 cups boiling salted water

Directions

1. In a 4-quart saucepan sauté the onions in olive oil until soft but not brown.
2. Add clams, peanuts, tomatoes, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper.
3. Simmer gently for 30 minutes.
4. Add spinach.
5. Cover tightly and, as soon as leaves have wilted, matata is ready to serve.
6. Correct the seasoning.

Rice

1. Cook white rice in boiling salted water until tender.
2. Serve matata over rice.