Samp

Samp is a common ingredient in Xhosa cooking. Samp is cracked hominy and hominy are dried corn kernels. In South Africa, samp and beans (umngqusho) is one of the traditional dishes of the Xhosa people, and was reported to be one of Nelson Mandela’s favorite meals growing up.

You can serve cooked samp and beans with sautéed or fried onions, with butter, or with any sauce of your choosing. If you are unable to find samp, you could substitue hominy that you crack yourself. Try putting it in a plastic ziploc, and cracking it with a rolling pin, or heavy skillet.

You can of course make many other dishes featuring samp. Try the following salad, which would make an excellent side dish for a grilled steak, or a nice vegetarian entree on its own.

Samp Salad

100g lettuce
2 celery stalks
1/2 small pineapple
1/2 cucumber
1/2 Granny Smith apple
50g Cheddar Cheese
2c cooked, rinsed samp
salt and pepper to taste

Dressing

1/4c plain yogurt
1tsp fine sugar
squeeze lemon juice

Slice celery thinly. Cut apple, cucumber and pineapple into cubes. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

Stir dressing ingredients together, then mix in with the salad ingredients. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.