Samp

Samp is a traditional African dish made from dried corn kernels that are broken into pieces but not as finely ground as mealie-meal or mielie rice. These kernels are pounded and chopped to remove their outer coating. It's a beloved dish in South Africa and among the Lozi and Tonga people in Zambia, where it's often enjoyed with sugar and sour milk.

Samp can also be served with gravy, mixed with various ingredients, or paired with dishes such as umngqusho, chakalaka, and different types of meat like beef, lamb, and poultry. It even works well as a stuffing.

The word "samp" is derived from the Narragansett term "nasàump" reflecting its Native American origins. In New England, "samp" has referred to a type of cornmeal mush or cereal since the early colonial days. While both samp and hominy are made from maize groats, they are produced using different methods.

In Afrikaans, unbroken and unhusked maize kernels cooked until tender are known as stampmielies. A popular way to enjoy samp is by pairing it with beans, creating the hearty dish known as "samp and beans."