The Nambian kitchen has many delicacies to offer: crawfish, several marine fish and oysters. But mainly two mushroom varieties: termite mushrooms and Kalahari truffles. Termite mushrooms (termitomyces) are the most common. They are sold in abundance on the street in the rainy period (from January until around the end of February). Many restaurants in Nambia also have the termite mushrooms on their menu as a seasonal speciality. But up until now it hasn't been possible to grow termite mushrooms of Kalahari truffles.
Termite mushrooms grow after the first rain penetrates the ground at the foot of normally rock hard, high termite hills. In Nambia a termite mushrooms can grow as big as a bowl. In West-Africa there are also termite mushrooms that are up to one metre wide. Termite mushrooms are nutritious and taste good. To prepare them, the outer skin is pulled away, the mushrooms are cut into pieces, covered in a bit of garlic in butter, to which a little cream is added, then sprinkled with parsley. The thick stalks are also edible. The long thin stalks on the other hand are very hard and not good to eat. The caps of the mushrooms can also be breaded. When dried the mushrooms can be used to spice sauces and soups.
In contrast to termite mushrooms, Kalahari truffles grow concealed under the ground. They only thrive in the deep sandy ground in the East and North of Nambia after rich and late rainfall. This is why they sometimes don't come at all some years and are supplied from the end of March until the beginning of June in large amounts. They look like sandy, knobbly potatoes. The Kalahari truffle can be prepared in many different ways. First the sand must be washed off and the peel must be removed, after that the truffle can be cooked whole for five minutes. If it is then eaten with a little salt and butter, it is a true delicacy. But it can also be grilled in thick slices or stewed chopped fine with chopped onions in butter: ideal as a side dish with meat dishes or potatoes. Truffles also go well with scrambles eggs, omelets and other such egg dishes.