RecipesSouth African 
Samp & Beans (Umngqusho)
A hearty traditional Xhosa dish of cracked maize and sugar beans — comfort food at its finest.
Ingredients
- 1 cup samp (dried cracked maize)
- 1 cup dried sugar beans or speckled beans
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp butter or oil
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt & pepper
Method
- 1
Soak samp and beans overnight in cold water.
- 2
Drain and rinse. Place in a pot with fresh water and bay leaf. Simmer for 1.5–2 hours until tender.
- 3
In a separate pan, sauté onion and garlic in butter. Stir into cooked samp and beans.
- 4
Add salt, pepper, and optional spices.
- 5
Serve as a hearty side or main dish.
Swaps & variations
- Add chilli or curry powder
- Add morogo or spinach
- Add beef stock or vegetable stock
- Add tomatoes for richness
Storing & freezing
Keeps 4 days refrigerated. Freezes well for 3 months. Reheat with a splash of water.
Grow it yourself
- Maize: Plant in spring in blocks for wind pollination; full sun and deep watering; pair with beans (Three Sisters)
- Beans: Choose climbing or bush varieties; fix nitrogen; sow once soil warms; provide trellising for climbers
- Onions: Plant early spring; Garlic: Plant in autumn; well-drained soil; weed regularly
- Companion planting maize + beans improves productivity
- Use mulch to retain moisture for bean roots
- Apply garlic or neem spray to deter beetles
- Interplant basil or marigolds to minimise pest pressure
- Beans: Allow pods to dry fully on plant; shell and store in airtight jars
- Maize: Harvest mature cobs once kernels are fully hard; dry further indoors
- Onions: Harvest once tops turn brown
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