Common on the streets of Dakar, rare on the streets of Harlem: fatayas. On this day the Senegalese patties took an empanada-like form and featured either minced chicken (paler shell, paler filling) or a paste made from fish. Tuna is traditional.
Previously: Even in Manhattan, a neighborhood street festival that celebrates local merchants can serve up uncommon fare, provided you're in the right neighborhood. Cases in point (shown below): hilib ari, the terrific Somali-style roasted goat from Safari; Haitian black rice with legumes from Harlem Karibe; and fried tilapia and plantains from La Savane. The cooks at that last restaurant, who hail from various countries (the owner himself is from the Ivory Coast), excel at preparing the thick sauces that are staples on West African lunchtime menus. The two shown at bottom, I'll bet, would have been delicious if I'd been willing to commit to the calories, and perhaps to a nap.
Go Africa Carnival
West 116th St. between Seventh and Eighth Aves., Manhattan
www.GoAfricaCarnival.org
(The 2019 festival was held on July 13)
