Pika Frozen Cassava Leaves Pondu – 500g

Pika Frozen Cassava Leaves Pondu – 500g | Finely Chopped Frozen Cassava Leaves | For Pondu, Saka Saka & Central African Stews

The soul of Congolese cooking — frozen fresh cassava leaves, ready for the most authentic Pondu 🇬🇧

Pondu, also called Saka Saka, is a traditional Congolese stew made primarily from cassava leaves, simmered in palm oil, onions, garlic, and often accompanied by smoked fish or meat. Cassava leaves are the soul of Pondu — slow-cooked until tender and infused with fragrant spices and palm oil, creating a dish that is both nutritious and deeply satisfying. No1africanchoice

While its roots lie in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pondu has become a favourite across Central Africa, with each region adding a personal touch. Despite slight differences in preparation, the heart of the dish stays the same: homegrown ingredients, careful cooking, and the comfort of something familiar. No1africanchoice

For the Congolese diaspora community in the UK — finding quality frozen cassava leaves has always been one of the most challenging parts of recreating authentic Pondu at home. Pika Frozen Cassava Leaves brings you 500g of finely chopped, flash-frozen cassava leaves — processed, pre-chopped, and ready to cook.

The Ingredient

🌿 Frozen Finely Chopped Cassava Leaves (Manihot esculenta) — finely chopped cassava leaves, frozen to preserve their freshness, flavour, and nutritional value. When cooked, cassava leaves have a slightly earthy, nutty flavour that pairs beautifully with palm oil, smoked fish, and aromatics. YourskinAmazon

Known Across Central Africa As:

• 🇨🇩 Pondu / Saka Saka — DRC Congo
• 🌍 Cassava Leaves / Manioc Leaves — English
• 🌍 Feuilles de Manioc — Francophone Africa

Nutritional Highlights

✅ Rich in Vitamin C, B vitamins, Calcium and Magnesium ✅ Good source of plant protein — cassava leaves are a significant protein source ✅ Rich in dietary fibre — supporting healthy digestion ✅ Contains Iron, Zinc and Manganese — essential minerals ✅ Rich in natural antioxidants — from whole cassava leaf ✅ Naturally vegan — 100% plant-based ✅ Naturally gluten-free ✅ No artificial additives, no preservatives ✅ Flash-frozen — nutrition locked in at peak freshness Cocopureorganic

How to Cook Classic Pondu

🥘 Classic Congolese Pondu: Thaw the frozen cassava leaves and rinse thoroughly in a colander under running water. Squeeze out excess liquid. Transfer to a pot. Pour in stock and add remaining ingredients. Simmer gently until the vegetables are tender. Aromahpure

Full recipe:

1. Thaw Pika Frozen Cassava Leaves — rinse thoroughly under cold running water and squeeze out all excess liquid
2. Blend onions, garlic, spring onions, and peppers coarsely in a food processor
3. Combine the cassava leaves and blended mixture in a large pot
4. Add palm oil, stock cubes, and water
5. Add chilli peppers and fish — preferably sardines or mackerel Cocopureorganic
6. Add smoked fish, crayfish, or assorted meat as preferred
7. Cook for 60–90 minutes on low-medium heat, stirring regularly, until leaves are very tender — the long cooking time is essential for authentic Pondu Cocopureorganic
8. Taste for salt and adjust seasoning
9. Serve hot with fufu, rice, chikwangue, or plantain

Tip: Pondu tastes even better the next day after the flavours have had time to meld together. Don’t skip the smoked fish — it adds essential depth and umami. Amazon

Serve With 🥘 Fufu | Chikwangue | Bobolo | Rice | Eba/Garri | Yam | Pounded Yam | Fried or Boiled Plantain

Net Weight: 500g Brand: Pika Ingredient: Frozen Cassava Leaves (Manihot esculenta) Also known as: Pondu | Saka Saka | Feuilles de Manioc Frozen | Vegan | Gluten-free | No additives | No preservatives Storage: Keep frozen at -18°C until ready to use Shipping: Delivered across the UK 🇬🇧 by Duaba Afro Foods — frozen delivery

⚠️ Important Food Safety Notice: Cassava leaves contain naturally occurring cyanogenic glucosides. Always cook cassava leaves thoroughly before consuming — never eat raw. The frozen Pika Cassava Leaves have been pre-processed (mashed/chopped) and frozen, significantly reducing but not eliminating these compounds. Always cook thoroughly for a minimum of 60–90 minutes as directed. Drain and rinse thoroughly before cooking. Allergen Information: Contains cassava leaves only. Naturally free from gluten, nuts, soya, and dairy. No known allergens. Storage: Keep frozen at -18°C. Once thawed, do not refreeze — use immediately. Cook from frozen or allow to thaw before cooking — always rinse thoroughly before use. Cocopureorganic