Isombe (Rwandan Cassava Leaves with Eggplant)
Isombe is a flavorful and nutritious dish from Rwanda. Made with tender cassava leaves and eggplant, this dish is often enjoyed as a main course and is typically served with Rwandan staple foods like ugali or steamed rice.
Ingredients
- 2 bunches of cassava leaves
- 1 medium eggplant, diced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 cup water
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
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1Remove the tough stems from the cassava leaves, and wash them thoroughly under running water. Chop the leaves into smaller pieces.
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2In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
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3Add the diced eggplant to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes, until slightly softened.
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4Add the chopped cassava leaves and diced tomato to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
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5Pour in the water and season with salt to taste. Stir again to ensure even distribution of the ingredients.
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6Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the mixture simmer for about 1 hour, or until the cassava leaves are tender and cooked through.
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7Stir occasionally during cooking, and add more water if necessary to prevent sticking and to achieve the desired consistency.
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8Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or other spices according to your preference.
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9Remove the pot from the heat and let the isombe rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe Attribution
Wikibooks Cookbook
Printed from recipe.exchange
https://recipe.exchange/recipes/wb-457306
Printed on October 30, 2026