I always find this so much fun! Interacting with the local people of the country I’m discovering. And what’s even better? Eating together. Spending time together. And what made it even more fun this time? I also went shopping for food and cooking with these people!
I was offered this experience by ResiRest. Of course I eagerly took advantage of it!
The appointment was quickly made. At the end of the afternoon I was picked up by Bakary to go shopping for the food. We were going to make Domoda, the national dish of The Gambia. One of The Gambia’s products is peanuts. So the main ingredient of this dish? Peanuts!
Eating with the Local Population – ResiRest, The Gambia
We went to the market. Bought spices, vegetables and fish. I must honestly say: the fish I saw lying there I would never dare to buy myself. There were flies on it. You never know how long it’s been lying there, of course. 🙂 We got the fish, nicely cleaned, in a bag.
I got this bag and put it in between my legs in the car.. After some minutes I saw flies going there and hear them buzzing in the bag… Hmmm… this was going to be really local. 🙂
Arrival in Bakoteh
We arrived in Bakoteh, where Bakary has lived his whole life. Bakoteh is a half hour drive from Bijilo, where I had my hotel. I was soon introduced to his friends. Super nice!
They were all sitting in front of a shop, the store of a friend who sells oil. Hanging out in front of the shop. Seeing what all passes by, walking, cycling, driving. They were enjoying a nice cup of mint tea!
A little later we continued. Soon we were at the compound where his sister lives. Here I would now make the Domoda with two other sisters of Bakary. Twins, named Adama and Fatou.
The house was part of a row of 4 houses. Opposite were also 4 houses. The small street in between can be closed off at night.
The small veranda in front of the house seems, except for the laundry hanging to dry, unused at every house. I can imagine why. You’d be sitting in a narrow street looking at nothing. 🙂
Ingredients Domoda
We soon started cleaning the fish, the vegetables and laying out all the ingredients. So what goes into the Domoda? I quickly wrote it down: pepper, onion, garlic, tomato, spring onion and green pepper. Fish, potato, bitter tomato and sweet potato. And of course the peanuts.
I was allowed to pound the pepper, onion, garlic and tomato (without the seeds and liquid) with an enormous wooden mortar. That was quite difficult work! Eventually you’ll definitely feel it in your arms!
I saw that one of the girls was also working. Had a better technique. 🙂 She had the spring onion and green pepper in the mortar. She stayed upright. Had a purposeful pound that seemed to hit the target every time. Mine seemed to miss sometimes…
Cooking in the Outdoor Kitchen!
After this we started frying the fish. They had washed everything well. There wouldn’t have been a trace of a fly left when I dropped it into the hot oil. After it had fried for about 10 minutes in the hot oil, on both sides, I was really convinced: I’m going to enjoy eating this in a moment!
The peanuts had already been ground and made into a sauce with water. This was brought to a boil. Shortly after, the tomato puree went in. The two mixtures from the mortars. The bitter tomato in pieces. The sweet potato in pieces.
This remained on the fire for another half hour.
In The Gambia They Still Cook on Charcoal
By the way, did you see what the ‘fire’ was like? On coals in handy small ‘cooking stoves’. You see them everywhere. On the street a lot, small ones, to make mint tea on. You see people walking around with them. They take them everywhere to make a nice cup of mint tea on the spot.
While the Domoda was simmering, I was taken back into the neighborhood. We walked past the school. A nephew of Bakary also attended here. His brother was also here a lot. It was a boarding school. So many children also slept here.
After that I got an orange. Nice to eat from the hand. I’m not very good at it yet, but I did my best. 🙂 With a view of this beautiful bakery!
But how do you like that view on the bakery shop?
Quickly to the friends again. Hanging on the sidewalk in front of the store.
A photo session was of course also necessary! It became especially hilarious when I mentioned that I saw someone was quite under the influence of weed… and that I was a police officer. 🙂
The Food is Served!
When we got home, the food was served! The driver of the taxi who picked us up, and would take us away afterwards, had meanwhile joined. The three of us ate deliciously from the beautiful large bowl. Served by the sisters Adama and Fatou.
Sharing a large bowl of food. As is customary when you eat with the local population in The Gambia! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I found the food super delicious. But also especially the fact that I spent a few hours in a local neighborhood. In the way that the Gambian lives!
Did you already see this clip? It is in Dutch…but you’ll get the picture 🙂
Would you also like to book such a nice trip? There are quite a number of destinations where ResiRest can arrange such a food date for you! Check out the ResiRest website and plan your local experience on your trip!
Accommodation in The Gambia?
I stayed in the coastal town of Bijilo during my vacation in The Gambia. Would you also like to book a nice hotel for your stay here? Then take a look at options in Bijilo, The Gambia. Many trips are offered by the larger companies with flight and hotel in one price. Of course everything can be booked separately so you may retain more freedom to go inland for longer.
Want to read more about my trip in The Gambia?
- Cycling to the Fish of Tanji – The Gambia
- Having dinner with the locals – Resi Rest
- Visiting James Island – Kunta Kinteh
- Why I didn’t travel solo in The Gambia