Mtedza Wokazinga (Roasted Groundnuts with Chili Salt)
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Raw groundnuts (peanuts), in shell or shelled — 300 g (2 cups)
- Cooking oil, only if pan-roasting shelled nuts — 5 ml (1 tsp)
- Salt — 5 g (1 tsp)
- Chili powder, or to taste — 2 g (1/2 tsp)
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), or heat a dry heavy frying pan over medium heat if roasting on the stovetop.
- Spread the raw groundnuts in a single layer on the baking tray, or in the dry pan.
- Roast in the oven for 15–18 minutes, shaking the tray halfway, until the skins darken slightly and the nuts smell fragrant; or stir constantly in the pan for 10–12 minutes over medium heat.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes (they crisp further as they cool).
- Toss the warm groundnuts in a bowl with the salt and chili powder until evenly coated.
- Serve warm or at room temperature in a small bowl.
Introduction: Crunchy, freshly roasted groundnuts (peanuts) tossed with a pinch of chili and salt — a simple, popular snack served before meals or with drinks.
Cultural Background: Groundnuts are one of Malawi’s most important smallholder crops, grown widely across the central region, and roasted groundnuts are sold everywhere from roadside stalls to market stands. Sharing a small dish of mtedza before a meal, or alongside a drink in the evening, is an everyday social custom.
Tips: Watch closely near the end of roasting — groundnuts go from perfectly toasted to burnt quickly. Roasting in the shell preserves more flavour, though shelled nuts roast faster and are easier to season. Store any spare chili salt mix for seasoning other snacks.
Variations: Omit the chili for a plain, salted version suitable for children. Add a pinch of ground ginger or curry powder for a spiced variation. Toss warm nuts with a little sugar instead of salt for a sweet snack.
Storage: Store cooled groundnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Reheating: Refresh in a dry pan or oven at 150°C (300°F) for 3–5 minutes to restore crispness if they have softened.
Nutrition: Approx. per serving: 200 kcal, 9 g protein, 6 g carbohydrate, 17 g fat, 3 g fibre.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use already-roasted groundnuts?
A: Yes, simply warm them briefly and toss with the salt and chili to season.
Q: Are groundnuts the same as peanuts?
A: Yes, groundnut is the common regional name for peanut.
Q: Is this snack vegan?
A: Yes, entirely plant-based as written.
- Raw groundnuts (peanuts), in shell or shelled — 300 g (2 cups)
- Cooking oil, only if pan-roasting shelled nuts — 5 ml (1 tsp)
- Salt — 5 g (1 tsp)
- Chili powder, or to taste — 2 g (1/2 tsp)
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