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About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Turtle Soup Recipe From Our Kitchen

You will love the taste of turtle soup and making our grandmothers turtle soup recipe is healthy and easy.

Turtle soup is soup made from the meat of turtles with spices and fresh vegetables. Our classic turtle soup recipe stewed Tanzania style, like they serve off the river and lakes throughout Africa. 

In the kitchen, we are the followers of the wisdom of our ancestors. Cooking is highly socialized and practical art. Each day, while it adds to our food experience it should also increase African ancestor food knowledge. 

Now that intercommunication between distant nations has become easier and frequent, the rural and city-dweller of Africa commands greater attention to culinary art. One art of cooking Africa offers is how to cook turtle soup. 

How the catch and clean snapping turtles for eating.

Catching and cleaning snapping turtles is easy. In Africa they live in a wide variety of marine habitats: large creeks, rivers, swamps, marshes, and lagoons. Fishing, grabbing them by the tail or the back of their shell is the usual method for catching snapping turtles. Snapping turtle used for eating must come from clean waterways.

To begin the process of cleaning a snapping turtle, cut the turtle's head off and hang the turtle upside down tied to a post to let the blood drain out. Then with plyers, muscles and a sharp hunting knife pull the skin off the turtle, parboiling with help loosen the skin for easier peeling.

The shell underneath the turtle is called the plastron, between this shell and the hardtop shell is soft joint easy to cut away. Remove the plastron with a sharp cutting hunting knife and remove the entrails.

Then cut away the meat, fat is yellow, detach from the meat but you can save this fat to favor other dishes. Cut up turtle meat just as you would turkey or chicken. Soak the turtle meat in clean water for 12-24 hours changing the water every 4 hours.

Boneless snapping turtle meat can be fried or stewed, however low heat and slow cooking methods have the best cooking results. The four legs and the tail of the snapping turtle are dark meat, the neck and back straps are white meat.   

Snapping turtles can average 10 to 12 inches in upper shell length and weigh between 15 to 25 pounds. Two pounds of boneless turtle meat cost between $38 and $50. Turtle meat is healthy with one cup of turtle meat has around 220 calories, 33 grams of protein and 2 grams of saturated fat.

Turtle Soup Recipe From Our Kitchen

Turtle Soup Recipe From Our Kitchen

Ingredients
2 cups boneless snapping turtle meat
4 cups vegetable stock
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons salted butter
4 stalks chopped celery
1 medium chopped white onion
1 medium chopped red onion
3 diced carrots
2 medium red tomatoes
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon freshly minced parsley leaves
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions
In a large pot with a heavy lid over medium-high heat add butter, melt then add seasonings. Add flour and turtle meat stirring well until turtle meat is slightly brown. Add stock and remaining ingredients. Continue to cook over medium-high heat until the mixture boils, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours. Dish into serving bowls and enjoy The African Gourmet easy recipe of turtle soup.

More easy breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes from African Food Love to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring meal again.

  1. Ethiopian Chicken Dinner
  2. Easy spice rub recipes
  3. Egyptian Rice with Mixed Vegetable Dish
  4. Fried Cabbage Pancakes and Onion Sauce
  5. Two easy squab recipes baked and fried

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Recipes Explain Politics

🍚

🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.