When we visited our project in Senegal, we realised that food really can grow on (and around) trees! Senegal’s national dish is called “Thiéboudienne”, but deforestation and a drying climate have made it harder for farmers to grow the veggies needed for the stew.

This is where your searches come in! In Senegal, we’re planting trees in forest gardens, which gives farmers an alternative to growing pesticide-dependent monocultures. Trees actually help vegetables to grow by providing shade and improving the quality of the soil around them. A beautiful side-effect is that farmers involved in our project can make their traditional meal once more, using ingredients grown in their own forest gardens.

Recipe

Here’s how to make a vegetarian version of the classic one-pot dish:

• Heat oil, add onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, black pepper and garlic. Then fry for 15 minutes over medium heat
• Add bay leaves and a cup of water
• Add all veggies with one cup of water and cook for 25 minutes until cooked
• Remove vegetables and add rice
• Cook over low heat, turning often so all the sides are cooked well
• Pour vegetables over rice to serve

Let us know how your stew turns out! And don’t forget to install the Ecosia extension and download our app to help farming communities in Senegal grow the ingredients to make theirs.