Healthy Eritrean and Ethiopian Recipes

Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine is renowned for its rich flavors, vibrant spices, and communal dining experience. Among its many culinary delights, collard greens hold a special place in Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine. This leafy green vegetable is not only nutritious but also incredibly versatile. Today, we delve into a mouthwatering leafy green Swiss chard collared green recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

The Origins of Swiss Chard in Eritrean and Ethiopian Cuisine

Swiss chards, known as “ሓምሊ ቆስጣ/hamli qosta” in Tigrigna and “ጎመን/gomen” in Amharic, is a staple ingredient in Eritrean and Ethiopian cooking. Believed to have been introduced to the region centuries ago, Swiss chards have seamlessly integrated into Eritrean and Ethiopian culinary traditions, offering a burst of freshness and flavor to countless dishes. Rich in vitamins and minerals, these leafy greens contribute a wholesome, plant-based nutrition.

Ingredients

To embark on our culinary journey, let’s gather the essential ingredients for this traditional Ethiopian collard green recipe:

• 2 bunches fresh Swiss chards thoroughly washed and chopped into bite sizes (you can easily grow from seeds in a pot if preferred)
• 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
• 1 medium ripe tomatoes finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp. finely minced fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp. avocado Oil or spiced butter or clarified butter ( if preferred)
• 2 pcs. serrano peppers seeded and sliced
• Salt to taste
• Water

Instructions

1. In a large skillet or pot, heat the avocado oil or clarified butter over medium heat.
2. Add finely chopped onions to the melted butter and sauté until they turn translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.
3. Incorporate minced garlic and ginger into the skillet, stirring gently to infuse the flavors. Add the tomatoes and let the ingredients blend.
4. Once the onions, garlic, tomatoes and ginger have melded together, it’s time to add the star ingredient – the Swiss chards. Toss the chopped greens into the skillet, coating them evenly with the fragrant mixture. Season the dish with a pinch of salt, enhancing the flavors of the Swiss chards and spices.
5. Pour a splash of water into the skillet to create steam, which will help wilt the Swiss chards and integrate the flavors together.
6. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the Swiss chards to simmer gently for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness. Stir occasionally.
7. Once cooked to perfection, serve the Swiss chards hot alongside injera, the traditional Ethiopian flatbread or bread.

As you take your first bite of this tantalizing vegetable dish, the earthiness of the Swiss chards harmonizes beautifully with the aromatic blend of onions, garlic, and ginger adds warmth to every mouthful. Through the simple act of cooking and sharing a traditional dish, we forge connections that transcend borders and boundaries, celebrating the diversity and richness of our global food heritage. So, the next time you’re craving a taste of Eritrea and Ethiopia, let the aroma of Swiss chards and spices guide you on a culinary odyssey unlike any other.

Hamli Qosta/Swiss Chard Collared Green Vegetable

This Eritrean/Ethiopian collard greens recipe, known as "Hamli/gomen," combines fresh collard greens with onions, garlic and ginger for a flavorful, wholesome dish. Simmered to perfection and served with injera or rice, this dish delivers a delicious blend of earthy greens and aromatic spices.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Light Meal, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Eritrean, Ethiopian

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

• 2 bunches fresh Swiss chards thoroughly washed and chopped into bite sizes you can easily grow from seeds in a pot if preferred
• 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
• 1 medium ripe tomatoes finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp. finely minced fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp. avocado oil or spiced butter or clarified butter if preferred
• 2 pcs. serrano peppers seeded and sliced
• Salt to taste
• Water

Instructions

 

Heat the oil or butter

• In a large skillet or pot, heat the avocado oil or clarified butter over medium heat.
  2 tbsp. avocado oil or spiced butter or clarified butter
  

Saute' the aromatics

• Add finely chopped onions to the melted butter and sauté until they turn translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.
  1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  
• Incorporate minced garlic and ginger into the skillet, stirring gently to infuse the flavors.
  2-3 cloves garlic minced, 1 tsp. finely minced fresh ginger
• Add the tomatoes and let the ingredients blend.
  1 medium ripe tomatoes finely chopped

Cook the Chards

• Once the onions, garlic, tomatoes and ginger have melded together, it's time to add the star ingredient – the Swiss chards. Toss the chopped greens into the skillet, coating them evenly with the fragrant mixture. Season the dish with a pinch of salt, enhancing the flavors of the Swiss chards and spices.
  2 bunches fresh Swiss chards thoroughly washed and chopped into bite sizes, Salt to taste
• Pour a splash of water into the skillet to create steam, which will help wilt the Swiss chards and integrate the flavors together.
  Water
• Reduce the heat to low, add serrano peppers (optional), cover the skillet, and allow the Swiss chards to simmer gently for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness. Stir occasionally.
  2 pcs. serrano peppers seeded and sliced

Serve

• Once cooked to perfection, serve the Swiss chards hot alongside injera, the traditional Eritrean and Ethiopian flatbread or bread.
  

Keyword Collared Green, Gomen, Hamli Qosta, Qosta, Swiss Chards