Ndolé
Cameroon's emblematic dish
Related city : Douala, Nkongsamba
Aussi écrit : ndoles
What is it?
Ndolé is made from the leaves of Vernonia, a shrub whose edible varieties grow in the south-west of the country and in neighbouring Nigeria. The naturally bitter leaves are boiled several times with salt to soften the bitterness, then combined with a peanut paste.
Where does it come from?
- Littoral — Origin
It is eaten across the whole country.
Associated people(s) : Sawa
Main ingredients
- Vernonia leaves (bitter leaves)
- Peanut paste
- Palm oil
- Shrimp, smoked fish or meat
What to eat it with
Fried plantains or cassava.
Origin and tradition
Regarded as the royal dish of Cameroon, particularly in the Littoral region. Because the leaves spoil quickly, production stays close to where it is eaten, chiefly Douala.