{"id":22334,"date":"2025-10-10T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T06:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/?p=20061"},"modified":"2026-03-20T14:50:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T12:50:30","slug":"grow-your-own-spicy-chakalaka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/blog\/2025\/10\/10\/grow-your-own-spicy-chakalaka\/","title":{"rendered":"Grow your own \u2026spicy chakalaka"},"content":{"rendered":"

What could be more South African than chakalaka? Tomatoes, carrots, peppers, and onions are all easy to grow veggies that form the base of this spicy dish. \u00a0What are you waiting for?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

There are so many ways to eat chakalaka. It\u2019s a staple at the braai, as a relish or even as a meal in itself with pap, bread, samp, meat, or whatever you choose to serve it with, for breakfast, lunch or supper!<\/p>\n

Fresh veggies form the base, with spices and aromatics added according to the degree of \u2018kick\u2019 required and baked beans in tomato sauce are stirred in to hold it all together. In fact, \u2018Chakalaka\u2019 means \u2018put it all together\u2019 in Zulu.<\/p>\n

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Chopped Chakalaka veggies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the basic recipe uses chopped onion, red and green peppers, grated carrots and chopped fresh tomatoes all cooked in oil, you can be sure that each household has their own version. Cabbage is often added in winter and chopped fresh chillies may be substituted for chilli flakes.<\/p>\n

For seasoning, curry powder, cayenne pepper, BBQ spice or a mix of garlic and ginger are the various options.<\/p>\n

Get sowing!<\/strong><\/p>\n

October is the perfect month to sow your \u2018Chakalaka\u2019 garden and the Kirchhoffs heirloom, non-GMO collection\u00a0 features Carrot \u2018Cape Market\u2019, Green pepper \u2018California Wonder\u2019, Capsicum \u2018Long Red Cayenne\u2019, Tomato \u2018Floradade\u2019 and Onion \u2018Hojem\u2019.<\/p>\n

Carrot \u2018Cape Market\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Carrots \u2018Cape Market\u2019.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is your fastest crop and a good all round carrot is \u2018Cape Market\u2019. It was developed for South African conditions and is a sweet medium to large carrot.<\/p>\n

Because carrots are a root crop, the soil needs to be dug over deeply, at least 30cm in depth. Rake out or remove all clods of earth, stones, sticks, weeds and roots so that the soil texture is fine. Some people dig over the bed twice to really aerate it.<\/p>\n

Sow in drills (rows) and because seed is sown shallowly, water daily or twice a day \u00a0during germination so that the soil stays consistently moist. Thin out to a final spacing of 5cm apart. There needs to be enough space between plants for the roots to develop fully. Carrots should be ready for harvest with in 90 days.<\/p>\n

Green Pepper \u2018California Wonder\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Green pepper \u2018California Wonder.\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Green pepper \u2018California Wonder\u2019 is a large lobed pepper with mild flavoured crunchy flesh. It can be grown in containers as well as in the ground. Germination takes two to three weeks and sowing in seed trays is recommended for better germination.<\/p>\n

Plant out seedlings into well composted fertile soil that drains well in a\u00a0 position that receives plenty of morning sun and afternoon shade. Water regularly especially when flowering. The first peppers should be ready for harvesting within70 to 80 days from planting out.<\/p>\n

Capsicum \u2018Long Red Cayenne\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Capsicum \u2018Long red Cayenne.\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Capsicum \u2018Long Red Cayenne\u2019 is a long red chilli, medium to hot, that also dries very well. It matures from green to red with the first fruit being pickable within 75 to 80 days. This chilli has the same growing requirements green peppers and should be spaced 40 to 45 cm apart as can grow into quite a large bush. Also good for growing in a larger container.<\/p>\n

Tomato \u2018Floradade\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Tomato \u2018Floradade\u2019.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tomato \u2018Floradade\u2019 is a widely determinate (bush) grown tomato that is ideal for hot humid climates. The bright red tomatoes are firm and flavourful and the plant has good disease resistance.<\/p>\n

Sow directly into well composted fertile soil or into seed trays. Plant out seedlings when they are large enough to handle. Water regularly as tomatoes don\u2019t like irregular under or over watering. Control white fly with Ludwig\u2019s Insect Spray Plus.<\/p>\n

Although this is a bush variety it will benefit from staking, especially to keep fruit off the ground. For flavourful tomatoes let the fruit ripen on the plant.<\/p>\n

Onion \u2018Hojem\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Onion \u2018Hojem.\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Onions are your longest crop and can take 180\u00a0 to 240 days to harvest. \u2018Hojem\u2019 onions are a good choice because they are easy to grow, can be sown all year round and store well. They are light brown onions with a strong flavour.<\/p>\n