South African Foods To Keep You Warm This Winter

South African winters may not be the most brutal, but that doesn’t mean there is any shortage of local dishes that can help you stay warm. From stews and curries to confectionery and local teas, there are several dishes that have been handed down from generation to generation. Here are some foods that are warming, delectable, and above all uniquely South African.

Bobotie

Bobotie is perhaps South Africa’s most recognised dish, and it’s perfect to warm you up. A traditional bobotie has a unique mixture of spiced minced meat, fruit, and a golden egg-based topping. Although bobotie has traditionally been a hearty, home-cooked meal, several variations are now available with many local restaurants putting their own spin on it.

Potjiekos

Bunny chow

No dish can be as warming as a sizzling hot curry, and South Africans are indeed fond of their curries. Different regions have their own variations, but if you’re looking for an authentic South African curry, that is filling and hot, you have try bunny chow. This fast food dish consists of a hollowed-out loaf of white bread, filled with chicken, mutton, lamb or bean curry, served with a side portion of grated carrot and onion salad.

Tomato bredie

A tomato bredie is a traditional South African stew that has all the ingredients to warm you up this winter. It usually consists of tomatoes, mutton, potatoes, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, chilli and cloves. The stew is cooked at a low heat for up to 90 minutes.

Malva pudding

Malva pudding is a sweet pudding of Cape Malay origin that enjoys widespread popularity across the country. It’s a flavourful, spongy, cake-like desert containing apricot jam, and is best served hot with a custard topping. The pudding is available at most restaurants throughout the year, but its rich, sweet and dense flavours make it a popular winter desert.

Koeksisters with Rooibos

Koeksister is a confectionery made of fried dough infused in syrup. By itself, it may not be the best winter warmer, but pair it with a mug of hot rooibos tea and you have a winner! Rooibos, which is grown in a small region of South Africa’s Western Cape, contains no caffeine, and can serve as a perfect pre-bed drink to help warm you up.

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