5 cool foods to eat when it’s too hot
When summer days get so warm all you want to do is stand in front of the fridge, says Khanya Mzongwana, try these cool foods – ranging from calming umphokoqo namasi to simple tomatoes on toast – to help counter the heat.
The hottest days of the year are finally here, and with them comes an inevitably lackadaisical approach towards food and eating – for me, at least. I normally stand by the fridge eating pickles straight out of the jar until I can’t anymore, or I’m on the balcony cooling umphokoqo in a big bowl with ice-cold, creamy amasi patiently waiting in the fridge. And yes, I do add a little sugar sometimes. These are my go-to solutions for those 30-degrees-C-and-up days. But don’t let the heatwave come between you and a good meal! When you can’t muster the strength to stand at the stove, cool off with the following recipes.
1. Umvubo or Umphokoqo Namasi
Growing up, this dish was my mom’s go-to on hot days. Yes, it does involve some cooking, but I’d still classify it as hot-day food. My cousin Viwe, who lives in Japan now, reminisces about this dish and goes back to it often when she misses home. “Umphokoqo namasi is the perfect comfort food in my opinion,” she says. “It’s simple yet satisfies every craving in my body. There’s the yummy texture of the mealie meal, the sour punch from amasi and the slight sweetness of the added sugar, which is how I like mine. But besides that, it’s the ultimate sharing food. I remember eating it out of one huge enamel bowl when I’d go to sis Lawi’s house. I even remember that happening at Nciza’s house. I also remember that when my parents were going through financial hardships and couldn’t take us out to eat or buy fancy groceries, mom would make umphokoqo and we’d go to the beach and have that as our picnic lunch. So, it just brings back all the warm and fuzzy feelings of family and sharing. It’s my favourite food.”
Umphokoqo namasi (crumbly pap and amasi) recipe
2. Ajo Blanco
Ajo blanco, gazpacho’s nutty cousin, is a cool foods classic. A chilled, almond-based soup hailing from Spain, it’s enriched with bread and olive oil and has a mild, creamy flavour. But what really gives it attitude is the pickled grapes that accompany it. I’ve peeled mine and kept them on the stem for the look, but you can remove them. The best part of all? It requires absolutely no cooking. Add sherry vinegar to your taste.
3. Kachumbari
Kachumbari is a refreshing salad usually served alongside stews or grilled meat and fish, but there are variations of it so good, they can simply be enjoyed by the bowlful. This one is a fantastic addition to your cool food armoury, and it also requires no cooking whatsoever. In my version, you’ll find chunky tomatoes, shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado and a punchy vinaigrette to tie it all together.
This salad is kinda inspired by the gorgeous, fresh, seasonal salads served at Fava Restaurant in Berkeley, California – check them out for hot-day food inspo:
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4. Crushed Tomatoes on Toast
There’s nothing quite like tomatoes on bread; it’s simply an unfailing combination. This five-minute throw-together by contributing food editor Hannah Lewry is perfect for those unbearably hot days where being in the kitchen feels like an ordeal.
Crushed tomatoes on toast recipe
Also, while I have you on tomatoes, if you have some really nice ripe ones you’d like to enjoy with minimal frills, make my tomato sandwiches with sardine mayonnaise. This is a cool food recipe I keep going back to over and over, and it’s good year-round. The building blocks for the perfect sandwich are all here: ripe tomato, a delicious and affordable protein, and luscious home-made mayonnaise on fresh, white bread. This will make an envy-provoking work lunch with not much more than a little fruit salad on the side.
Tomato-and-sardines on toast recipe
5. Shaved Butternut Salad
You might not have known that you can enjoy butternut raw – but you definitely can. Once you give it a try, you’ll be surprised by its subtly sweet, nutty flavour and delicate crunch. This salad also gets a gochujang dressing that’s so versatile, you can keep it as a marinade for chicken when you’ve finally cooled down enough to braai!
Happy (cool) eating, y’all. Find more recipes to cool down to on taste.co.za.
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