A traditional dish honouring Heritage
In celebration of Heritage Month, we feature a traditional recipe from Chef Lebo Phala, known for her elegant interpretations of indigenous African cuisine. This month, she shares her take on Kgodu – a nourishing wild melon porridge.
“Traditionally, Kgodu was a valued meatless dish, especially in cultures where eating meat was restricted due to sacred customs. Nothing was wasted, melon seeds were dried and roasted into dithotse (roasted melon seeds), enjoyed as a snack or served alongside porridge,” she explained.
Kgodu (wild melon porridge)
Ingredients:
- 1 medium wild melon
- 1 cup mealie meal (maize or sorghum)
- Water, as needed
- Salt, to taste
Method:
- Peel the wild melon and remove the seeds.
- Cut the flesh into small chunks and set the seeds aside (they can be used later to make dithotse).
- Place the melon chunks in a pot, cover with lightly salted water and boil until almost tender.
- Pour the mealie meal directly on top of the semi-cooked melon.
- Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Steam for about 20 minutes or until the meal forms a thick, stiff porridge. Do not stir during this process.
Optional enhancements:
- For added flavour, roasted and ground melon seeds may be stirred in at the end.
- For a sweeter version, sun-dry the melon before cooking.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm as a filling, wholesome meal on its own.
- Pairs well with dithotse as a crunchy accompaniment.
About the Chef
Chef Lebo Phala was born and bred in Mohlaletse Village in Ga Sekhukhune, Limpopo. She holds a Diploma in Food Preparation and Cooking from Capsicum Culinary Studio.
She is the founder and Executive Chef at HL Culinary, a brand that curates fine dining experiences rooted in indigenous African cuisine. She is also a professional photographer, videographer and a visionary who is passionate about women empowerment and promoting African heritage and culture.
For more information about HL Culinary, you can email:
lebo@hlculinary.com
or follow them on Instagram:
@hlculinary_experince.
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