Sosatie

Sosatie is a cherished South African dish featuring marinated, cubed meat cooked on skewers. The name "sosatie" merges the words "sate" and "saus" reflecting its Cape Malay origins and its use in Afrikaans, the primary language of the Cape Malays. This dish is a staple of South African cuisine, often prepared shish-kebab style on a braai, the local term for a barbecue.

While sosatie recipes can vary, they typically include ingredients such as lamb, beef, chicken, dried apricots, red onions, and bell peppers. To prepare sosatie, chunks of meat are marinated overnight in a flavorful mixture of fried onions, chillies, garlic, curry leaves, and tamarind juice. After marinating, the meat is threaded onto skewers, alternating with small onions, sliced bell peppers, dried apricots, or prunes to enhance the taste.

The skewers can be cooked in various ways, such as pan-frying or grilling, but they are most commonly cooked on a braai. This method not only imparts a smoky flavor to the meat but also accentuates the unique blend of spices and ingredients that make sosatie so special.