Matata

Description
Clam and peanut stew. Matata is a typical Mozambique entree made with pumpkin leaves. We have used spinach as a substitute. This is one dish that wasn't influenced by the cooking of Portugal. Imagine a combination like clams and peanuts and tender young greens! You may want to hold out the crushed red pepper. Start without it and add it gradually, with discretion.

Ingredients

 * 1 cup onions, chopped finely
 * 2 oz olive oil
 * 4 cups canned chopped clams
 * 1 cup peanuts, chopped finely
 * 2 tomatoes cut in small pieces
 * 1 tbsp salt
 * ½ tsp black pepper
 * 1 tsp crushed red pepper.
 * 1½ lbs fresh spinach (young leaves) chopped finely.
 * 2 cups white rice
 * 5 cups boiling salted water

Directions

 * 1) In a 4-quart saucepan sauté the onions in olive oil until soft but not brown.
 * 2) Add clams, peanuts, tomatoes, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper.
 * 3) Simmer gently for 30 minutes.
 * 4) Add spinach.
 * 5) Cover tightly and, as soon as leaves have wilted, matata is ready to serve.
 * 6) Correct the seasoning.

Rice

 * 1) Cook white rice in boiling salted water until tender.
 * 2) Serve matata over rice.