Victoria Banda's Holiday Recipe
Victoria Banda, a single woman of 36 who ran a small grocery shop, struggled to support her aging parents and two younger sisters. $20 might not buy much at your grocery store, but at Victoria’s shop, it made all the difference. With a $20 FINCA loan, Victoria expanded her inventory and has continued to grow her business ever since.
Victoria never finished primary school, but with FINCA’s help—made possible by supporters like you—she was able to send her younger sister to college.
That’s an immeasurable accomplishment – all made possible by a $20 donation that we invested in Victoria.
When you celebrate with your family this holiday season, consider serving this simple Zambian recipe made with the kinds of ingredients Victoria sells in her shop. You should be able to buy all of them for less than $20!
Ifisashi (Greens in Peanut Sauce)
- 1 to 2 cups raw peanuts, shelled and skins removed
- 2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 or 3 pounds of collard greens, pumpkin leaves, or sweet potato leaves, chopped
- salt (to taste)
- cooked beef, chicken, or fish (optional—most Zambians can’t always afford meat!)
Grind, chop, or pound peanuts into a fine powder. Bring a few cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the peanuts, tomatoes, and onion. Cook on high heat for several minutes, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in greens. Add salt and cover. Cook for 15 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking until greens and peanuts are reduced to a thick sauce.
When your guests ask how you discovered this delicious dish, you can tell them about how $20, an affordable gift, is helping hardworking FINCA entrepreneurs like Victoria succeed.
