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Christmas cabbage and potatoes recipe

This traditional Ethiopian recipe is filled with African spices and is guaranteed to brighten any Christmas dinner.
This traditional Ethiopian recipe is filled with African spices and is guaranteed to brighten any Christmas dinner.
News29 November 2018Cian Purcell-Milton

This traditional Ethiopian recipe is filled with African spices and is guaranteed to brighten any Christmas dinner. For tables bigger than two, simply double the recipe and serve 'family style' for everyone to dig in!

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tsp minced ginger
  • 1 chopped green chilli (optional)
  • 1/2 cup of chopped onion
  • 1/4 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 to 3/4 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds or powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • a generous dash of black pepper
  • 3/4 cup of sliced carrots
  • 2 medium potatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 finely chopped head of cabbage
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Method

In a large pan, heat 1 tsp of live oil and add the garlic, ginger, chilli and onion. Cook for 5 minutes.

Add the cumin, turmeric, fenugreek seed, black pepper and cardamom, cinnamon and clove powder. Cook for two minutes to infuse into the oil.

Add the carrots and potatoes and mix well. Add the cabbage and 1/4 tsp of salt – then reduce the heat to medium/low. Mix well, cover and cook for 15 minutes – stirring once.

Add 1/4 tsp or more salt, and 1 tsp olive oil. Mix in and de-glaze the pan with water, if necessary. Cover and cook for another 15 minutes or under the potatoes are tender.

Serve hot with your Christmas dinner!

Concern's potato programme

Potatoes have helped the family of 15-year-old Mehamed Ahimed Ali to pay school fees, move into a bigger house and look forward to a brighter future. Photos: Jennifer Nolan, Ethiopia, 2017.
Potatoes have helped the family of 15-year-old Mehamed Ahimed Ali to pay school fees, move into a bigger house and look forward to a brighter future. Photos: Jennifer Nolan, Ethiopia, 2017.

Ten years ago, we helped 16 Ethiopian farmers to start planting potatoes, as a means of diversifying their crops, generating income and growing a nutritious source of food for their children. These days, more than 5,000 families are involved in the programme and for 15-year-old Mehamed Ahimed Ali (pictured above), it’s been a life-changer. It's helped his family earn enough money to move into a bigger, brick-built house and pay school fees for him and his three younger siblings.

Concern Gifts

This Christmas, you can change a life by purchasing one of our Concern Gifts. These gifts are the alternative gifts offering from Concern Worldwide and help support our work in 25 of the world’s poorest countries. You could even purchase potatoes for families like Mehamed's and gift it in the name of a loved one. They may be hard to wrap, but they couldn't be easier to give.

 

Jamna feeding her daughter Shanti

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