Sweet Potato Peanut Stew

Peanut Stew is a well-known vegan dish from Sierra Leone that packs a flavourful punch!

Peanut stew is widely consumed across West Africa. Before the arrival of peanuts in the 16th century, this stew was referred to as "Groundnut Stew" this was due to the locally grown groundnut that was used. Now peanuts are added to make this insanely tasty dish. 

Peanuts and groundnuts are not the same, though their names are used interchangeably; groundnuts actually taste more like chickpeas. As a legume, groundnuts and peanuts belong to the same botanical family Fabaceae, commonly known as the pea family. Fabaceae includes about 670 types and nearly 20,000 species of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs. Legumes are a type of plant such as the bean plant with seeds that grow in long cases called pods. Groundnuts are indigenous to African legumes.

The stew itself is thick, creamy, and rich. It's packed with spice and favour so enticing that you'll surely be cooking this as a regular staple meal. There are many versions of groundnut stew across Africa that vary with the vegetables and spices used. This recipe has been inspired by the traditional; however, my version uses protein-rich chickpeas and sweet potatoes loaded with beta carotene.

Sweet Potato Peanut Stew Recipe