Today, I am thrilled to announce a sweet addition to our recipe collection – A dessert recipe! Before now, my recipes on this blog mainly featured savory dishes, but today, I am excited to switch things up and share a dessert recipe near and dear to my heart. I present to you Kashata Za Njugu, Tanzanian Peanut Brittle.
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In honor of National Peanut Month, this recipe features the VII (Very Important Ingredient) of the month, none other than peanuts! And just in case you’re not familiar, National Peanut Month is about spreading awareness of the many health benefits of peanuts and encouraging people to incorporate them into their diets. So, to celebrate this occasion, we’ve got a list of peanut-based recipes for you to check out. But first, let’s get started on this delicious dessert recipe that will satisfy your sweet tooth!
Kashata is a delicate balance of sweet and savory, with crunchy peanuts enrobed in a luscious sugar syrup infused with aromatic cardamom and vanilla. It comes in different shapes and sizes, and each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures that’ll elevate your taste buds to great heights and leave you wanting more.
This special Tanzanian treat is more than just a snack – it is a cherished cultural icon passed down for generations in East Africa. During celebrations in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and other Eastern regions, families and friends come together to share Kashata, adding a touch of sweetness and joy to their gatherings. It makes a delightful dessert addition to any meal and is perfect for snacking on the go.
Personally, I am a fan of crunchy snacks with a chewy texture and a touch of sweetness, which is where my love for Kashata stems from. And if you’re just like me, you might as well fall in love with this East African delight.
Growing up, I always looked forward to weekends when my mum and sister would prepare Kashata. And even when they didn’t get to prepare it, my sister and I would eagerly buy it from the vendor down the street. And oh, the joy we felt from holding those peanut brittle bars in our hands was out of this world!
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I want you to experience that same joy, and I’m excited to show you how quick and easy it is to make Kashata yourself. However, one part of the recipe can be a little tricky – the sugar caramelization process. Avoid stirring the syrup as it caramelizes because this can cause the sugar to crystalize and ruin the recipe.
Instead, use the handle of your pan and gently swirl the syrup until it thickens, right before it begins to caramelize. That’s when you should quickly add the peanuts. With attention and some patience, you’ll achieve the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch in your Kashata in no time!
Join Rukia Laltia in her kitchen as she guides you on how to make Kashata. Rukia is a Kenyan food blogger and founder of Rukia’s Kitchen. With a passion for sharing traditional African recipes, Rukia’s YouTube channel features step-by-step tutorials on how to prepare delicious dishes from Kenya, Tanzania, and beyond, all in Swahili and English.
Kashata Za Njugu | Tanzanian Peanut Brittle Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups roasted peanuts
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
- Roughly chop the roasted peanuts into small pieces and set them aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sugar and water, and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring.
- Cook the syrup for 8-10 minutes until it caramelizes i.e turns a light amber color and becomes thick and somewhat sticky.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and ground cardamom.
- Add the chopped peanuts to the saucepan and stir until they become evenly coated with the sugar syrup.
- Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with pre-greased parchment paper and pour the Kashata mixture into it. Use a spatula to smooth out the mixture and press it down firmly.
- Allow the Kashata to cool for at least 2 hours or until it has hardened.
- Once it cools, cut it into small squares or diamonds using a sharp knife or cutter.
- Serve and enjoy your delicious homemade Kashata with a cup of milk, coffee, or juice!
Kashata Za Njugu | Tanzanian Peanut Brittle
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups roasted peanuts
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
- Roughly chop the roasted peanuts into small pieces and set them aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sugar and water, and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring.
- Cook the syrup for 8-10 minutes until it caramelizes i.e turns a light amber color and becomes thick and somewhat sticky.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and ground cardamom.
- Add the chopped peanuts to the saucepan and stir until they become evenly coated with the sugar syrup.
- Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with pre-greased parchment paper and pour the Kashata mixture into it. Use a spatula to smooth out the mixture and press it down firmly.
- Allow the Kashata to cool for at least 2 hours or until it has hardened.
- Once it cools, cut it into small squares or diamonds using a sharp knife or cutter.
- Serve and enjoy your delicious homemade Kashata with a cup of milk, coffee, or juice!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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