On a scale from 1-7, how often do you eat beans?
A rich source of protein and fibre, they’re a super versatile ingredient that can be included in almost any diet. One of my favourite kinds is the Black bean (aka the turtle bean), especially when they’re in Haitian Sòs/Sauce Pwa Nwa. It’s a creamy sauce that’s packed with flavour and the perfect addition to your winter lineup of soups and stews.
Nothing compares to Sòs Pwa with sliced avocados, fried plantains, pikliz, and a big bowl of rice, but to be honest, I love it so much I often eat it on its own! Over the years I’ve modified the original recipe a bit (don’t we all? #blackfoodielife) by adding more coconut cream and pepper to make the dish a little creamier and a whole lot spicier, but if it’s your first time enjoying it, I suggest you stick to the straightforward recipe I first learned, here.
This dish has always been amazing to me, but recently I found out that it’s truly A1 because it can be made with Canadian-grown ingredients. Black beans are actually grown across the country but beans from Ontario are known all over the world for their high crop quality. Over 90% of them are exported outside of North America. Wow!
The next time you try this Haitian dish, support local farmers by buying Black beans grown here at home. Just look for “Product of Canada” or “Made with Domestic Ingredients” labels on the can to make sure you’re picking up the right one.
I won’t lie, I’ll still take a trip to Haiti to enjoy this dish like a local, but in the winter, there’s really nothing better than digging into a piping hot bowl of something savoury and delicious while Netflix pulls up my favourite show. I dare you not to add Sauce Pwa to your comfort food roster.
Grab the recipe here. Bon appeti!
