 Tchaka | |
| Alternative names | Chaka, tiaka, tyaka |
|---|---|
| Type | Stew |
| Place of origin | Haiti |
| Main ingredients | Corn, beans, meat |
Tchaka orChaka is aHaitian stew made fromhominy,beans,pumpkin (joumou), andmeat (usuallypork).[1] The nutritious soup is also associated with festivities and family time.[2]
Other names for the dish are tyaka, chaka, or tiaka depending on the region.[2] Typical ofHaitian cuisine, this dish has influences of many different cultures.[2]
The recipe is usually made with salted and smoked pork which imparts a great deal of flavor.[2] This pork is from where most of the flavor comes.[3] The parts of the pig that are used is traditionally thetrotter,bacon,shoulder, palette, orloin.[2]
Various beans can be used, includingpinto,red kidney, small red, and dark red.[4] Dried corn is used, where it can increase fourfold in volume when boiled in water.[4]
Tchaka is relatively simple to make.[2][5] However, it often requires several hours of preparation to allow flavors to develop and incorporate throughout the soup.[2][5] Unlike other soups where the ingredients are prepared in the same pot, for tchaka, the ingredients are usually cooked separately before being combined.[2] This is because the different ingredients have different cooking times.[3] The red beans and corn are soaked for several hours.[2] The pork is boiled then grilled in oil.[2] Then the beans, corn, and meat are combined and simmered at low heat for about two hours.[2] The tchaka is simmered to the desired consistency which is usually on the thicker side.[2] Some add pumpkin to the tchaka, where a cooked piece of pumpkin ispureed and added to the other ingredients before simmering.[3] The stew is served hot.[5] It is sometimes served with apickle on the side.[5][6]
Several other local variations exist which usebeef,mutton, orcrab instead of pork.[2] Some recipes usecoconut milk which provides a creamy consistency.[2] Some recipes usesquash,yam, ormalanga.[2]
Tchaka is usually served during special occasions because it requires a relatively long time to prepare.[2] For example, it can be served during family gatherings.[2] It can also be served onNovember 1 forAll Saints’ Day, onMay 1 for Labor Day to honorAzakah Medeh, the loa ofharvest andagriculture.[2] In Haitian Vodou, tchaka was the favorite dish of this loa.[2][7][8][9]
Tchaka was mentioned in a song by Haitian musician,Sydney Guillaume, when he wrote:
“Chofe dife! Nou pral manje tchaka! Chofe dife, brase mayi, pa bliye tisale, Nou pral manje yon bon tchaka. Nou pral voye monte yon bouyon tèt chaje” (“Light the fire! We will eat tchaka! Light the fire, mix the corn, don’t forget the salted pork, we will eat a delicious tchaka, we will cook an incredible stew”).[2]
Haitians oftentimes cook tchaka during school vacations since it is protein-rich and thought to help with children's growth.[2]
