A Rustic and Spicy East African Salsa made from Fresh Tomatoes and Scotch Bonnet Peppers & Fresh Herbs

If you haven’t come across Kachumbari before, allow me to introduce you to this tangy East African salad. One of my favourite dishes when I am in Nairobi, I just really cannot get enough of this salad. Kenyans call it Kachumbari – a Swahili word that represents a dish of fresh tomatoes, onions and peppers.

Akin to Mexican salsa, it is a very simple dish of tomato and onions. It’s also very easy to prepare. Few ingredients – fresh tomatoes, onions, fresh herbs, lime juice, and of course salt and pepper. Incredibly versatile – serve it as a side dish to a main course, or use it as a dip for your vegetables. I have paired it in the past as a sauce for grilled fish and that was absolutely divine!

Most Kenyans make this particular salsa with the freshest of ingredients, and so, you can expect this salsa to last in the fridge as long as freshly cut tomatoes would last. To enjoy it at its best, serve it right after you make it.

East African Rustic Tomato and Onion Salsa (Kachumbari)

Servings	Prep Time
2 people	10 minutes

Cook Time	Passive Time
20 minutes	30 minutes

Servings	Prep Time
2 people	10 minutes

Cook Time	Passive Time
20 minutes	30 minutes

East African Rustic Tomato and Onion Salsa (Kachumbari)

Servings	Prep Time
2 people	10 minutes

Cook Time	Passive Time
20 minutes	30 minutes

Servings	Prep Time
2 people	10 minutes

Cook Time	Passive Time
20 minutes	30 minutes

Ingredients

Units:

Instructions

Roughly chop the tomatoes, onions and peppers. Drizzle the chopped vegetables with extra virgin olive oil.
Roast in oven at 180ºC Fan-assisted or 200ºC for 20 minutes.
In a food processor, chop the vegetables at the lowest speed so that they remain chunky. Transfer to a bowl and mix in salt, lime juice, and herbs.
Allow the flavours to develop for about 30 minutes and then serve.

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Nutrition Facts

East African Rustic Tomato and Onion Salsa (Kachumbari)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 195 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g 12%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Sodium 22mg 1%

Potassium 988mg 28%

Total Carbohydrates 32g 11%

Dietary Fiber 7g 28%

Sugars 14g

Protein 5g 10%

Vitamin A 126%

Vitamin C 352%

Calcium 5%

Iron 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave me a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #AfricaOnYourPlate.