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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

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Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

Mango Beet Chutney Recipe

Mango Beet Chutney Recipe

What is chutney you ask, popular in South Africa, chutney is a sort of a combination pickle and preserve. It is usually made rather sweetly and very hot, and is eaten with curry and rice. Durban South Africa has one of the largest concentrations of Indian people outside of India and South African Indian food recipes are a source of pride.

South African Indian Mango Beet Chutney Recipe.

Love my homemade mango beet chutney
African Recipes by African Gourmet  

Use Mango Beet chutney in place of relish, mustard, ketchup and salsa. Beets and mangoes are among the sweetest natural foods and contain even more sugar that carrots.  

Prep time: 10 min 
Cook time: 30 
Total time: 40 min

Beta vulgaris or beets come in a range of colors, from dark red to red-and-white striped to deep gold to milky white. Beets are mainly grown for their large roots but the leaves can also be eaten as spinach. In South Africa beets are widely grown in home gardens throughout the country. 

South African Indian Mango Beet Chutney Recipe

Ingredients

1 large can beets and liquid

½ onion, finely chopped

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 cup sugar

2 cups dried finely chopped mango

1 cup golden raisins

1 tablespoon minced garlic

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

3 cups water


Directions

Add all ingredients together, stir well and simmer 30 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly pour chutney into a 2-quart jar. Allow to cool on the counter. Perfect on fish and chicken. 

Chutney is a chunky jam looking combination pickle and preserve made sweet and spicy eaten with curry, stew, fritters and rice.


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African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

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African Gourmet FAQ

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Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.