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Vegetarian Bunny Chow

South African

Vegetarian Bunny Chow

Durban-inspired street food: a hollowed-out bread loaf filled with fragrant vegetable curry.

~50 mintotal~507 kcalper serving~17g protein~100g carbs~7g fat

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 4.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf white or brown bread
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 1 cup shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup cooked beans (optional)
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 chilli, chopped
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • Salt & pepper
  • Fresh coriander

Cooking Steps

  1. Sauté onion, garlic, chilli, and carrots in oil until soft. Add spices and cook until fragrant.

  2. Add tomatoes, cabbage, beans (optional), and salt. Simmer 15–20 minutes until saucy and rich.

  3. Cut loaf in quarters. Hollow out centre to form bowls.

  4. Spoon hot curry into bread bowls. Top with coriander.

  5. Serve with the removed bread as dippers.

Optional Enhancements

  • Add potatoes for Durban-style curry
  • Add spinach or morogo
  • Add coconut milk for richness
  • Add lentils for protein

Plant & Growing Tips

  • Cabbage: Prefers cool months; needs firm soil and regular watering; space well to prevent rot
  • Coriander: Grows best in partial shade; heat causes bolting, so sow in cooler seasons
  • Tomatoes: Start indoors; transplant when warm; mulch deeply
  • Carrots: Direct sow in loose sandy soil; avoid transplanting

Natural Pest Control

  • Use netting to protect cabbage from moths
  • Spray neem for aphids on tomatoes
  • Use chilli-garlic spray for general pests
  • Plant coriander near tomatoes to deter whiteflies

Harvest

  • Cabbage: Harvest heads when firm and heavy; remove outer leaves for regrowth
  • Tomatoes: Pick fully ripe for best curry flavour
  • Carrots: Pull small carrots for sweetness; store larger roots in cool sand
  • Coriander: Harvest leaves young; allow some plants to set seed

Storing & Freezing

Curry freezes up to 3 months. Do not freeze bread bowls. Prepare fresh.

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