Friday, June 25, 2010

Food and Diet


The staple food in Malawi is maize (corn) prepared as a thick porridge called nsima and eaten with vegetables or beans.  Many fruits and vegetables grow in Malawi, and with a little creativity, you can enjoy a widely varied diet.  Most Volunteers prepare their own food, although after becoming more familiar with their site assignment, many Volunteers hire somone to help with household work, including cooking.  Fruits and vegetables are available "in season," which means some things will not be available at the market year round.  Meat and dairy products are available in the towns, though they can be expensive.

Trainees and Volunteers who are vegetarians will be able to eat well in Malawi after becoming familiar with local food items and their preparation.  Most Malawians do not understand vegetarianism and will not normally be prepared to serve a vegetarian meal if you are a guest in their home (even if they themselves do not regularly eat meat because of the expense.)  However, a sensitive explanation about your preferences will be accepted.  Most vegetarian Volunteers have no difficulty once the initial adjustment is accomplished.

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