Chimbama/Mkate

Ingredients

• 15 very ripe bananas, peeled
• 1 to 2 cups ufa (cornmeal or cassava flour, preferably ngaiwa)
• banana leaves

Directions

1. Take banana leaves and pass them over a fire.
2. This makes them pliable.
3. Run a knife down the spine of the leaf, trimming off the thick part.
4. Cut them into thirds and rinse in water.
5. Pound bananas with a mortar and pestle.
6. Pound in enough ufa to make a dough.
7. Place about a hamburger patty-sized amount of dough on each third of the banana leaf.
8. Completely wrap dough up with the leaf.
9. Place bundles in a pot vertically (do not pile too high) with enough water to cover the bottom.
10. Cover and place on a fire.
11. Place more coals on the lid.
12. Check after 20 to 30 minutes.
13. The dough should be bread-like inside.