Simsim is this delicate plant that takes a lot of patience, attention and care from farm to fork. Join us as we learn how to harvest simsim the proper way… Er, at least to the high standards of my demanding mother. But first, a story.
For a long time I never understood why mum bothered herself planting simsim and finger mallet. Let me tell you, these things brought hell to my young life. Growing up Luhya, harvesting simsim and its post harvest handling was one of those life lessons that seemed to be on replay: complaining through out the harvest, experience the fleeting joy of munching on the harvest; rinse repeat.
Mum planted simsim every crop year. Special tasks like harvesting simsim were allocated to specific people for many reasons, but mostly for accountability. As the Bukusu say, embako sebea ta! The jembe does not lie: thus, of concern to mum whenever she split us into groups for work was not how you worked, but your output at the end of the task.
Anything to get away from the tedious task of harvesting simsim
Given the demands, ingenuity was the name of the game. A lazy sister of mine would offer a bribe of her piece of ingoko (all in the future) in exchange for a task being done now on her behalf now. Quite an offer that was! As a result, she often had many takers. Never mind, she was a picky eater anyway.
Then there was this brother of mine who was an omwami of sorts given his control of an important resource in the village: yesterday’s/old newspapers. He bought them off from dad by bartering his services: wash dad’s motorcycle or shine his shoes, get the last week’s same day newspaper.
Later, my dear brother would sell the newspaper in bits. The boring stuff (headlines and news sections) of the oldest newspapers to the village shopkeeper and diligent Musa, and those of his ilk, who always had their books covered as the headteacher (our father) demanded. To the shopkeeper and Musa and his tribe, a shilling each for per page it was.
the auction
Then he would auction the inner juicy stuff such as the Saturday newspaper insert full page pinup of celebrity x/y/z to the highest bidder. This would often be a peer who would commit to undertake a task(s). Thus an offer to take up the tedious work — case in point harvesting simsim — the higher the likelihood of winning the auction. Once he had adjudged the winner of his auction, my dear brother would spend his day by the river doing more interesting things. Like roasting the eggs of kamausi and/or hunting and roasting any wild birds he’d hit with his fandiri (sling).
So why would my siblings go to all this trouble just to escape a seemingly simple task of harvesting simsim? First, well it’s not a simple task. Secondly, it’s because in our household, if mum assigned a specific task to you, you better do your best because this was the easiest way of crossing swords with her and courting lukhendu. Especially, if the task involved something as treasured as simsim.
How to harvest simsim in 7 easy steps the slow dry method common among the Luhya
Instructions
Identifying crop ripe for harvesting
- Simsim is harvested by cutting the whole plant — stem, leaves, fruits the whole shebang — once it becomes yellow then brown/red in the field.
How to slow dry the simsim in preparation for harvesting
- First, the harvested crop is tied together in a bunch that can fit in one hand. One then ties the bunch under the shade formed by the eave of the kitchen. You know the space between the outer surface of the wall and the eave of the roof? My people, the Bukusu, call this place kamatoche. The Maragoli call it rusimbu. Yes this is the place where simsim is hung to dry.
- When you slow dry, you have to wait… and wait… Harvested simsim, when slow drying, is left to hung for up to a month. Basically, all you have to do is to keep collecting whatever of the early fruits that have been released by natural shattering of the simsim pods as the crop ripens. Keep waiting and collecting, until the crop is fully dry. To know you are almost there, the simsim crop stalks will turn brown in color and will be able to hear a crackling noise as the pods pop open on their own.
Final simsim harvest preparation by sun drying
- On the day you are ready to harvest the simsim from their pods, air dry the dry simsim on direct sunlight for at least three hours. Do this by spreading the crop on a protected flat surface that will allow you to hygienically collect any seeds that will be gotten from the pods popping open in the heat of the sun.
Manually harvesting simsim by thrashing
- First, gently thrush and shake the bunches and collect whatever is availed. The pods will produce the simsim if they were dried properly. Once you are satisfied that no more can be gotten this way, using a firm but light stick, strike the pods open. The simsim will be dispersing as you strike if the pods are dry. You need to pay attention to every pod, empty it before moving on. Patience my brother…
Cleaning harvested simsim by removing chaff and other unwanted stuff
- Winnow to remove foreign materials like plant remains. Pick and sort out any unwanted stuff to make sure no rocks, sticks and other foreign matter find their way into the simsim.
Storing the harvested simsim
- Always in a cool dry place such as a covered guard or pot.
More is needed about simsim
Indeed. It is such a yummy wholesome delight. More simsim recipes coming soon.