I’m often asked about the first dish I learned to make, and it must be chakalaka. My mom makes the best. At every family braai it was an unspoken rule that the task of bringing the famous relish that ties the meal together would be left to her. Now that honour has been bestowed on me and my sister.
No one seems to know the origins of this township favourite. Many say that chakalaka originated in the hostels where mine workers, with little to spare, would contribute whatever they had to make supper. You bring your onion, I bring my carrots, someone else a cabbage, beans or curry and 30 minutes later a spicy chakalaka is served over piping-hot pap.
People the length and breadth of our beautiful country have their own version. Even Oprah Winfrey has a chakalaka recipe in her cookbook! (Who knew?)
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