Photo: Safari Express
For many people Minnesota conjures up images of frigid temperatures and duck boots. But ironically it's also home to the largest Somali community in the United States, more than 30,000 people. Located in the horn of Africa, Somalia has had many culinary influences throughout its history -- Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian and Italian to name a few.
In 2006, Jamal Hashi, a 28-year-old Somali chef, who was forced to flee his homeland when he was only eight years old because of civil unrest, opened a restaurant in Minneapolis called Safari Express, which offers Somali fast food. It's become hugely popular not only for Somali immigrants but among Americans craving something different and a little spicy.
"African food has not gotten much recognition because it's been overlooked by political problems there," Jamal told Slashfood. "When I talk to people about Somali food they are always taken aback a bit by the idea of an East African cuisine."
Jamal says that goat dishes are the most popular among Somalis but they also use a lot of chicken and, being coastal, a large variety of seafood like tuna and shellfish.
"I always win over Americans to Somali food when I tell them the process of cooking with fire started in East Africa. We've been doing cooking for a very long time and we've influenced a lot of people," Jamal says proudly. "I'm trying to reshape the image people have of Africa and its food."
3-09-2010 @8:29PM John McCollum said... Somali food is delicious, and is very accessible to the Western palette. Columbus, Ohio has 30,000+ Somalis and is, therefore, a treasure trove of Somali restaurants and markets. If you're ever in town, look for restaurants in the Morse Road/Cleveland Avenue corridor.
Somalis are, by and large, very friendly and open to sharing about their culture. The Somali community has been a boon to Columbus, adding thousands of hard-working and entrepreneurial citizens, as well as a shot of world culture into what may at a glance look like just another bland Midwestern city.
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3-10-2010 @12:15AM josh said... as an east african living in the midwest, i can tell you there are wayyyy more than 30k somalis in the minnesota. a lot of people living under the radar. the whole point of me saying this is just to iterate the impact they have on the whole food scene there. a lot of good somali restaurants in minneapolis. if you haven't had somali food before, please try it. especially if you like spicy!
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3-10-2010 @1:29AM GarnishzLife said... Anyone have any etiquette pointers or tips on Somali food restaurants that would help a diner be prepared and enjoy the experience more? LIke the Kindle book "All About Dining Out", I think it would be great to add some "manners that matter" when it comes to this cuisine!
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