CUISINE
The
ohhh -so
-yummy
Ugandan Rolex Words and pictures by Sasha Martin
Uganda’s ‘Rolex’ is a breakfast luxury that can be purchased on any street corner. Whipped egg is the gold setting. Precious studs of tomato and purple onion glitter across the surface like garnet and amethyst, while fine strands of cabbage sparkle like peridot. The completed jewel is nestled safely in a soft chapati wrap. Ridiculous? Maybe. But shouldn’t everyday food be as precious as a “real” Rolex?
What is a Ugandan Rolex?
Rolex is classic Ugandan street food. The similarity to the luxury watch brand is happenstance: Once upon a time the vendors who made this treat called out “Rolled Eggs” – nothing more. The basic idea is eggs cooked with cabbage, onion, tomato, and sometimes peppers, which are then wrapped in a chapati. But, as the words careened off their tongue, “Rolled Eggs” sounded more like “Rolex” to visitors. Gradually the (quite fun) misinterpretation stuck.
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NG'AALI
DECEMBER 2020 - FEBRUARY 2021
