Ful Medames is a beloved dish in both Sudan and South Sudan. Some consider ful medames to be the national dish. It is a delicious vegetarian dish made typically with fava beans although sometimes, other types of beans are used. What makes the dish so delicious is the accompaniments that are served with it.
Of course, you can choose whatever toppings you like we enjoyed tomatoes, arugula, feta, red onions, hard-boiled eggs and the hot sauce called shata. It is also topped with a bit of sesame oil which I particularly loved. The dish is eaten with a flat bread, simply scoop it up with your right hand and enjoy!
Ful Medames is very popular in Egypt as well so not sure where it originated. Egypt colonized Sudan along with Britain so it wouldn't surprise me in the least if their favorite dish came from that period of time, although the dish is said to date back to the pharaohs.
On a sad note, both Sudan and South Sudan suffer from food insecurity and poverty. The very poor call the water that beans are cooked in Bush, after President George Bush of the United States. It is due to President Bush cutting aid to Sudan in 1990 after Sudan supported Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War. They simply sop up the bean water with a piece of bread and onion. For many, this may be the only meal that would have in a day.
If you would like to learn more be sure to check out "Our Journey to Sudan and South Sudan". There you will find more authentic Sudanese recipes like Sudanese eggplant dip and Sudanese peanut macaroons.
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