(Chubbagin. Image by @cookeverycountry via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CVahHoGoaLh/?utm_medium=copy_link )

Happy Independence Day, Mauritania! On November 28th, 1960, this Northwestern African country gained independence from the French. To celebrate, we are exploring the country’s delicious cuisine.

Mauritania’s demographics include the Haratin or Sudanic descended groups, the Bidan or Berber and Arab descended groups, and Wolof, Fulani, Soninke and Tukolor tribes. The country’s dishes reflect northern African cultural practices, and the culture of the ethnic groups that have settled in the country.

(A market in Nouakchott, Mauritania. Image by Bertramz via Wikimedia Commons)

Food in Mauritania is normally eaten out of a large silver bowl, and communities eat together. Most dishes in the country are eaten with the hand. It is custom to only eat with the right hand on the floor. Over 75% of Mauritania is composed of deserts, and the food use in the country reflects the need for sustenance that will survive the harsh climate. Some of these staples include sweet potatoes, couscous, and dried fish.

Mauritanian Sweet Tea is a drink that is consumed multiple times throughout the day. It is made with a mixture of green tea, mint leaves, and sugar. Before drinking, the tea brewers usually place the tea high in the air and pour the tea back and forth in different cups.

(Leksour. Image by @Cliffieland via Instagram)

Leksour, Mauritanian pancakes with lamb stew, is a savory dish consisting of a pancake-like item made with millet, and stew made with lamb and tasty vegetables.

(Mechoui. Image by TonTon Jaja via Wikimedia Commons)

Mechoui is a dish that has origins in North Africa and is a whole animal, usually lamb, that is roasted ‘on the spit’ or a rotisserie rod.

(Dibi. Image by @outdoor_spots via Instagram)

Dibiis a style of grilled meat that is prepared in Mauritania, and neighboring countries like Senegal. Dibi, which means barbeque in Wolof, is typically eaten with grilled onions, bread, mustard, and french fries. Although Dibi is usually prepared with lamb, other meat like chicken can be used to prepare the dish.

(Chubbagin. Image by @cookeverycountry via Instagram)

Chubbagin, a meat stew dish, is prepared by stewing vegetables like potatoes, eggplant, carrots, and hibiscus leaves. It is normally served with couscous or rice.

(Dates. Image by ORGANIChouse via Wikimedia Commons)

Dates are dried grapes that are commonly eaten in Mauritania as desserts and/or snacks.

If you are in Philadelphia and in the mood for some Mauritanian cuisine, order authentic Mauritanian cuisine at African Small Pot! Check out our feature on the Philly restaurant here:

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