Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (2024)

Published on . Updated on . By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 4 Comments

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Fumbwa is a lip-smacking, tasty dish from the Democratic Republic of Congo that is highly satisfying and nutritious!

Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (1)

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This wild spinach stew combines exceptional flavors and healthy fats and proteins to make an excellent low-carb meal.

Jump to:
  • What is Fumbwa made of?
  • Ingredients Used
  • How To Make Fumbwa
  • Storing and Reheating
  • What can I eat Fumbwa with?
  • Tips and variations
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

What is Fumbwa made of?

Fumbwa is made primarily from wild spinach (fumbwa leaves) found in Congo and throughout tropical Africa. Botanically known as gnetum africanum, wild spinach is rich in Vitamins A, C, K, iron, and folate.

This delectable African soup is cooked with palm oil, smoked or dried fish, catfish, pepper, onions, and peanut butter.

You don't need any other protein to make this soup; the smoked dried fish add so much wonderful flavor to this dish!

Ingredients Used

Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (2)
  • Vegetables: Fresh baby spinach, tomatoes, habanero pepper, onion, garlic.
  • Proteins: I use smoked dried catfish for this recipe. I usually get it from an African store. It delivers a really unique flavor you wouldn't get if you use other animal proteins. But if you can't find any nearby, you can use any protein of your choice.
  • Spices: Bouillon powder, black pepper, salt. You can use chicken stock cube instead of bouillon powder.
  • Other ingredients: Palm oil, peanut butter, and stock. The combination of red palm oil and peanut butter really enhances the flavor of this dish.

How To Make Fumbwa

Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (3)
  1. Soak the smoked fish in hot water for a few minutes.
  2. Chop the spinach and rinse, then place in a colander to drain the excess water.
  3. De-bone the smoked fish and break them into medium pieces. Rinse them out thoroughly.
  4. Chop the onions, tomato & habanero pepper, and mince the garlic.
  5. Add one cup of water and one cup of stock to a large pot and bring to a boil, then add the chopped spinach to it and simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. Add the smoked fish, diced tomatoes, pepper, onion, garlic, bouillon powder, salt, and black pepper.
  7. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  8. Add the peanut butter and palm oil and simmer for another 10 minutes on low heat.
Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (4)

Storing and Reheating

Fumbwa soup can keep well in the fridge for a few days. You can also freeze it for a few months if you want to store it for longer.

To reheat, let it sit out and thaw completely before heating on a low-burner. You can add a little water to it so that it doesn't burn.

What can I eat Fumbwa with?

Like many African stews, Fumbwa is very versatile. It goes splendidly with many types of fufu, rice, noodles, or even boiled unripe plantains.

For a low-carb option, this delicious soup can be enjoyed with keto fufu dishes or with cauliflower rice.

Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (5)

Tips and variations

  • Don't worry if you live in a county where it's hard to get traditional fumbwa leaves. You can safely substitute with spinach or kale and collards greens.
  • Depending on your preference, you may leave out the habanero pepper to reduce heat or add cayenne pepper for a little more heat.
  • Always taste for salt before you add any since the stock already has some salt in it.
  • You can use a cup of ground roasted peanuts instead of peanut butter to form a peanut paste.
  • You can also use tomato sauce instead of tomatoes to make this recipe.

Check out these other delicious African stews and soups!

Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)

Edikang Ikong Soup

African Chicken Peanut Stew

Nigerian Turkey Stew

African Cabbage Stew

Banga Soup

Nigerian Stew

Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (6)

📖 Recipe

Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (7)

Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe)

Fumbwa is a lip-smacking, tasty dish from the Democratic Republic of Congo that is highly satisfying and nutritious!

4.50 from 4 votes

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Course: Soups & Stews

Cuisine: African

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 411kcal

Author: Tayo Oredola

Ingredients

  • ½ onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 3 pieces smoked catfish approx 8oz
  • 2 tablespoon palm oil
  • 4 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 4 cups spinach
  • 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup stock
  • 1 habanero optional
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Soak the smoked fish in hot water for a few minutes.

  • Chop the spinach and rinse, then place in a colander to drain the excess water.

  • De-bone the smoked fish and break them into medium pieces. Rinse them out thoroughly.

  • Chop the onions, tomato & habanero pepper, and mince the garlic.

  • Pour in one cup of water and one cup of stock to a pot and bring to a boil.

  • Add the chopped spinach to it and simmer for 10 minutes.

  • Add the smoked fish, diced tomatoes, pepper, onion, garlic, bouillon powder, salt, and black pepper.

  • Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.

  • Add the peanut butter and palm oil and simmer for another 10 minutes.

Notes

This recipe serves 8 and contains 3 net carbs per serving

  • Don't worry if you live in a county where it's hard to get traditional fumbwa leaves. You can safely substitute with spinach or kale and collards greens.
  • Depending on your preference, you may leave out the habanero pepper to reduce heat or add cayenne pepper for a little more heat.
  • Always taste for salt before you add any since the stock already has some salt in it.
  • You can use a cup of ground roasted peanuts instead of peanut butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 399mg | Potassium: 1351mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1589IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg

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More African Keto Stews and Sauces

  • Mafe (Maafe) - Senegalese Peanut Stew
  • Sega Wat (Ethiopian Beef Stew)
  • Doro Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew)
  • Instant Pot Lamb Stew

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (12)She says

    Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (13)
    Hello I am glad to have found your block 🙂 and I like your recipe very much the only thing I would change would be the palm oil, what can I replace it with?

    Reply

    • Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (14)Tayo says

      You can use olive oil instead.

      Reply

  2. Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (15)Jazz says

    Since dried catfish comes in a variety of sizes, what is the total approximate weight of the 3 dried catfish required in this recipe? Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (16)Tayo says

      Hi, it's roughly 8oz. I'll update the recipe card. Thanks!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is Fumbwa made of? ›

The dish is named after the fumbwa plant, a vine that grows in the forests of Central Africa. For the stew, the leaves are cooked with peanuts, red palm oil and smoked catfish ​[5]–[8]​. Onion, leek or scallions, are added for extra flavour, along with tomatoes and sometimes bell pepper ​[6]​ or habanero ​[5]​.

What is fumbwa leaves in english? ›

In English, Gnetum africanum is usually called “wild spinach” (though other plants are also called the same). In the Kikongo language of the Congo region Gnetum africanum is called Mfumbwa or Fumbwa (in Angola, M'Fumbua orFumbua).

How to cook Fumbua? ›

Add one cup of water and one cup of stock to a large pot and bring to a boil, then add the chopped spinach to it and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the smoked fish, diced tomatoes, pepper, onion, garlic, bouillon powder, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.

How many calories are there in Fumbwa? ›

Tips
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
422Calories
33gFat
14gCarbs
22gProtein
May 28, 2021

What is the Congolese national dish? ›

Popularity. Moambe chicken is regarded as the national dish of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the Republic of the Congo, the version that uses peanut butter is known as muamba nsusu. Nsusu means chicken in Kikongo.

What is the most common Congolese meal? ›

Fufu, sticky dough-like dish made of cassava flour. This is a staple dish much as rice or potatoes in other countries. Loso na madesu—rice and beans. Sombe or pondu—soup made from boiled, pounded and cooked cassava leaves.

What are the benefits of Fumbwa? ›

Dilatation of the spleen, Sore throat, Constipation. In the Central African Republic, the leaves are consumed to remove contamination from certain poisons, a sort of antidote.

Where is Fumbwa from? ›

Fumbwa or <<koko>> is a dish originally consumed by the "BaKongo" people located in the west of Congo. Today it has spread throughout Africa and many ethnic groups love it.

What is Okazi Leaf? ›

Okazi (Gnetum africanum) is a leafy vegetable that belongs to the family Gnetaceae and occurs naturally in humid forest zone from Nigeria to Central African Republic and to Angola It is an ever green dioecious forest perennial liana that grows up to 10 m long but sometimes longer and branchedGnetum africanumleaves are ...

What do Congolese eat? ›

Northern: Cassava (root and leaves) with meat, fish, vegetables and legumes. Southern: Maize, meat, vegetables, legumes and sweet potato. Eastern: Potato, beans (green and dried), cassava, meat and vegetables. Western: Cassava with fish, meat and vegetables (including legumes).

What is Fumba Congolese food? ›

Fumbwa is the Congolese word for wild spinach and is used to make Fumbwa leaf stew, a creamy stew with a unique combination of peanuts and red palm oil.

Is Congo food spicy? ›

Some of the most commonly used spices and seasonings in Congolese cuisine include: Pili-Pili: Pili-pili is a type of chili pepper that is used to add heat and flavor to many Congolese dishes. It is often ground into a paste or powder and used in marinades, sauces, and stews.

Is Garri a calorie? ›

Calories in Eba/Garri

To calculate how many calories there are in your Eba or your raw Garri that you drink, here is the calorie content of a cup of Raw Garri. Garri has 360 calories of which 99% is Carbohydrate.

How many calories are in Ethiopian food? ›

Region: US
ServingIngredientCalories
1injera126
1/2 cupbeef tib154
1/2 cupdoro wat164
1/2 cupgomen50
3 more rows

Does Pondu have protein? ›

But across Central Africa, the plant's leaves are an essential source of protein, calcium, and vitamins A and C. This is especially true in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where a dish of the boiled greens—known as saka-saka or pondu—is a staple that makes appearances at regular meals and special occasions.

What is Congolese fufu made of? ›

It is a dish called Fufu and is a simple puree of boiled white yams, sweet potatoes, plantains, or cassava. Traditionally, the yams are pounded into a thick paste and formed into small balls about the size of a golf ball. This can then be used to scoop up stew or sauce.

What is Mafe made of? ›

Some versions of the dish resemble a stew and contain such ingredients as tomato, onion, garlic, cabbage, peppers, and spices. Other variations consist simply of meat and a generous serving of rich, thick peanut sauce. Beef and lamb are most commonly used, but chicken and fish are featured in some recipes.

Can you eat wild spinach? ›

Wild spinach has a mild, earthy, and green taste suited for lightly cooked preparations. The greens can be eaten raw, tossed into salads, added to smoothies and fresh juices, or used as a garnish, but since the plant contains oxalic acid, it is recommended to consume fresh greens in very small quantities.

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