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Monday 17 February 2014

The Various Types Of African Pastries That You Can Try

By Krystal Branch


On a continent so large there is no wonder that range of foods from one end to the other would be so big. African pastries are no exception to this. The various types available change from one end of the continent to the other and come in a wide variety of sweet and savory options.

A very common treat that is made throughout East Africa is what is known as mandazi. This deep fried piece of dough is similar to doughnuts and is served with anything that it can be dipped in, from honey or jam, to the less sweet options of peanut butter or plain butter. The choice is entirely up to you and what your personal preferences are.

Samosas are also a very common choice in many different countries throughout the continent. These are usually savory and are filled with different assortments of meat and vegetables. They are often seasoned with the spices that are common to the region where they are being made so the flavors will vary from one place to the next.

When it comes to South Africa there are so many different options to choose from when searching for the best pastry. Koeksisters is probably one of the most common and delicious ones that you will find there. It has an incredibly sweet flavor to it and has a crunchy outside and a soft inside and is served with a sweet, syrupy coating.

When it comes to North Africa the flavors tend to lean more towards the savory side. There are many different forms of pastry there that are generally made from a form of filo pastry that has been filled with various types of meat and vegetable fillings. These are cooked in oil and served while they are still hot.

For countries in western Africa, meat pies are one of the most common options that are available all over, being sold by many different shops and restaurants. They're usually made up of beef or chicken, and less commonly with goat, and filled with the different spices found in the region. This meat mixture is usually surrounded by a soft pastry crust and baked until it turns golden brown. They're served hot or cold.

The continent itself is so diverse that you will rarely find the same options from one region to the next. Each country has their own specialties, and they are all fantastic no matter what your tastes are. Whether you are searching for something sweet or savory there are so many options for either choice and you will never be far from a vendor willing to satisfy your pastry needs.

Many people do not have the option to travel to all these wonderful countries and taste everything that they have to offer. Luckily many different places outside of the continent will provide African pastries to those people. This means that these wonderful treats are available for everyone to try no matter where in the world they are.




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