Sukuma Wiki with Ugali
Kenyan sautéed collard greens with tomato and onion, served alongside a simple stirred cornmeal ugali.
Sukuma wiki, literally 'stretch the week' in Swahili, is the everyday greens dish found on Kenyan tables, collard greens sautéed with tomato and onion until soft but still bright. It's simple by design, meant to be quick and affordable, and it doesn't lose any of its character for being humble.
Ugali, a stiff cornmeal dough stirred by hand until it pulls away from the sides of the pot, is the traditional partner, used to scoop up the greens the way bread or rice might be used elsewhere.
This is a naturally vegan, plant-based African meal that leans heart-healthy thanks to the sheer volume of leafy greens and the modest amount of oil involved. It's an easy one to make heartier with a side of beans or lean protein if you want more staying power. Collard greens hold their nutrients well even after cooking, so this remains a genuinely nourishing plate despite how quickly it comes together.
Ingredients
Sukuma Wiki
- 1 kg collard greens (sukuma wiki), stemmed and thinly sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp curry powder — optional
- to taste salt and pepper
Ugali
- 2 cups white or yellow cornmeal
- 3 cups water
- 1 pinch salt
Most ingredients here are everyday market staples across West Africa. A handful of specialty items may be easiest to find at a local open-air market or an African grocery store if you're elsewhere.
Instructions
Sukuma Wiki
- 1Heat olive oil in a wide pan and sauté onion until soft.
- 2Add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until they break down.
- 3Stir in the sliced collard greens in batches, cooking until wilted, about 10-12 minutes.
- 4Season with curry powder, salt, and pepper.
Ugali
- 1Bring water to a boil with a pinch of salt.
- 2Gradually whisk in cornmeal to avoid lumps.
- 3Reduce heat and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 8-10 minutes until it forms a thick, smooth dough that pulls from the sides of the pot.
- 4Shape into a mound and serve alongside the sukuma wiki.