Global
South African Chakalaka with Garden Vegetables
A spicy, tangy vegetable relish made with peppers, carrots, tomatoes, and beans. Perfect with rice, bread, or grilled meals.
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 2.
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 2–3 carrots
- 1–2 bell peppers
- 2 tomatoes (or 1 cup chopped)
- 1 cup cooked beans (baked beans or homegrown beans)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1–2 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 chili (optional)
- Salt & pepper
- Oil for sautéing
Cooking Steps
Prep vegetables
Grate carrots; chop onion, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes.
Sauté aromatics
Fry onion, garlic, and chili (if using) until fragrant.
Add vegetables
Add grated carrots and chopped peppers; cook until softened.
Season
Stir in curry powder, paprika, salt, pepper.
Add tomatoes
Simmer until tomatoes break down and sauce thickens.
Add beans
Stir in cooked beans; simmer 5–10 minutes.
Serve
Great warm or cold with bread, rice, or grilled meals.
Optional Enhancements
- Beans: kidney beans, pinto, black-eyed peas
- No heat: omit chili and use mild curry
- Add-ins: cabbage, zucchini, green beans
- Richer version: add a splash of tomato paste
Plant & Growing Tips
Carrots
- Sow directly; require loose, well-drained soil.
- Keep rows moist until seedlings establish.
Bell Peppers
- Start indoors early; require heat and sunlight.
- Mulch to retain warmth and moisture.
Tomatoes
- Water deeply and regularly; avoid wetting leaves.
- Stake for airflow and better fruiting.
Beans
- Direct sow after frost.
- Bush or climbing types both work; inoculate seeds for better yield.
Onions & Garlic
- Onions: grow from sets; weed regularly.
- Garlic: plant in autumn, harvest in summer.
Natural Pest Control
- Neem oil for whiteflies and aphids.
- Marigolds deter nematodes and beetles.
- Chili-garlic spray repels caterpillars.
- Basil improves tomato growth and reduces pests.
Harvest
Carrots
- Harvest when brightly coloured and firm.
Peppers
- Pick when glossy, full size, and fragrant.
Tomatoes
- Ripen best on the vine; harvest when soft and red.
Beans
- Pick pods regularly to encourage continued production.
Onions
- Lift when tops flop over naturally.
Storing & Freezing
Refrigerate 4–5 days. Freezes up to 3 months. Flavour deepens after 24 hours.
