Makubi
Recipe origin: Tanzania
This dish combines spinach with tomatoes and creamy peanut butter.
Ingredients
- 2 packages frozen spinach, thawed (or 2 cups fresh)
- 1 can (16 ounces) tomatoes, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
Procedure
- Combine the 2 packages (or 2 cups fresh) spinach and can of chopped tomatoes in a saucepan and heat until bubbly. Add salt to taste.
- Stir in peanut butter and continue cooking over low heat until heated through. Serve.
Serves 8.
6 POLITICS, ECONOMICS, AND NUTRITION
About 40 percent of the population of Tanzania is classified as undernourished by the World Bank. This means they do not receive adequate nutrition in their diet. Of children under the age of five, about 31 percent are underweight, and nearly 43 percent are stunted (short for their age).
Tanzania is one of the world's poorest countries and undernourishment is prevalent, especially in children. The young life expectancy age of 42.3 years is mostly due to malnutrition, tropical diseases such as malaria, and very unsanitary conditions. Open sewers, uncovered garbage piles, and contaminated streams and lakes are sources of disease. Although living conditions in larger towns and cities are typically better than in rural areas, unsanitary conditions and malnourishment are widespread throughout both. Childhood deficiencies in Vitamin A (which can cause blindness) and iodine are the country's most serious malnourishments.
