Cachupa Pobre is a traditional Cape Verdean stew that is simple yet packed with flavor. Made with corn, beans, vegetables, and fish, this dish is perfect for those looking for a more affordable version of the classic Cachupa Rica.
Cape Verde is an archipelago of ten islands located off the coast of West Africa. The cuisine of Cape Verde is a fusion of African, Portuguese, and Brazilian influences, and Cachupa Pobre is one of the most beloved dishes in the country.
Cachupa Pobre is typically made with fish instead of meat. The stew also includes corn, beans, vegetables such as collard greens and onions, and spices such as chili pepper and bay leaf. The result is a simple yet flavorful stew that is perfect for sharing with friends and family.
One of the great things about Cachupa Pobre is that it can be made in advance and reheated the next day. In fact, many people believe that the stew tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to make Cachupa Pobre at home. We’ll walk you through the ingredients and steps to make this delicious stew, and we’ll also share some tips and tricks to help you get the best results.
But before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a closer look at the differences between Cachupa Pobre and Cachupa Rica. Both dishes are traditional Cape Verdean stews made with corn, beans, vegetables, and spices. However, there are some key differences between the two dishes.
The main difference between Cachupa Pobre and Cachupa Rica is that Cachupa Rica is made with various types of meat while Cachupa Pobre is made only with fish. This makes Cachupa Rica more expensive and only accessible to those with more means.
Despite these differences, both Cachupa Pobre and Cachupa Rica are delicious and satisfying dishes that are perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether you choose to make the rich version or the more affordable version, you’re sure to enjoy the flavors of Cape Verde.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking! We can’t wait to share this delicious recipe with you and show you how to bring the flavors of Cape Verde to your table. 😊
Ingredients
- 2.1 cups of corn
- 1 cup of red beans
- 0.6 cups of white beans
- 2 onions
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 3.5 oz of lard
- 4 leaves of collard greens
- 1 bay leaf
- 3.3 lbs of tuna and swordfish
- Water, salt and chili pepper to taste
Instructions
- The day before, soak the beans and corn in cold water.
- Cook the fish cut into steaks in water seasoned with salt, crushed garlic cloves, bay leaf and collard greens cut into pieces.
- In a pot, heat the lard with the chopped onions.
- Once they are golden, add the beans, corn, collard greens and flaked fish.
- Add the cooking water from the fish.
- Season with chili pepper and let it boil for a while to cook.
Notes
- This recipe calls for tuna and swordfish, but you could try using different types of fish to add a different flavor profile to the dish. Some suggestions could be cod, haddock, or tilapia.
- This recipe already includes collard greens and onions, but you could add even more vegetables to the stew to increase the nutritional value and add more flavor. Some suggestions could be carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers.
- If you like your food spicy, you could add more chili pepper or even try using a different type of hot pepper such as habanero or jalapeño. If you prefer your food less spicy, you could reduce the amount of chili pepper or omit it altogether.
- You could try adding other fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or cilantro to add more depth of flavor to the dish.
- This stew is hearty and filling on its own, but you could serve it with a side dish to make it even more satisfying. Some suggestions could be rice, crusty bread, or a simple green salad.
- If you want to make this recipe vegan-friendly, you could omit the lard and use olive oil instead. You could also add more vegetables and legumes such as chickpeas or lentils to make the stew more filling.
