Groundnut Stew
Submitted by Jim Tate
Makes 6 servings

Peanut butter is ground up nuts, and peanuts are dug out of the ground - hence the name.  Jim first obtained this recipe from a professional hunter he met years ago. 

In Africa, the venison was usually Gazelle or other African antelope.  Jim shared a bowl of venison groundnut stew with his neighbors.  They were delighted to tell him that their Nigerian nanny would make groundnut stew using goat. Jim usually makes it with white-tailed deer or pronghorn.  He was told it is commonly made with chicken, and often contains something from the sky, the earth, and the water. 
​

• 2 pounds stew meat (venison preferred) cut in 1-inch chunks
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or substitute 1 tablespoon of a beef rub)
• 2 medium onions
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 10 florets okra
• 1/2 pound spinach
• 2 tablespoon salad oil (peanut oil best)
• 1 cup peanut butter

   
In a covered medium saucepan, cook meat, 1 1/2 cups water, salt, and pepper for 1 1/2 hours or until tender.

Meanwhile, in a covered electric blender container at low speed blend onions, okra, and tomatoes until smooth (or chop onions and tomatoes very fine). 

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, in hot oil, cook onion-tomato mixture for 5 minutes.  Add onion-tomato  mixture, spinach, and peanut butter to meat.  Cook at low heat about 20 minutes until spinach is cooked and sauce cooks down slightly.

Serve over hot rice.

Accompaniments: 
Pass small bowls of shredded coconut, orange segments, pineapple chunks, or fried onions to sprinkle over individual servings of stew, if you like.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ...."  Matthew 25:35 

Which Basic Need Would You Sacrifice? 

If you didn't have enough money to pay for all of your basic needs, which would you sacrifice? Would you decide to not buy food or medicine, cut back on health care, not pay  for rent, heat, water or electricity? How would you choose knowing that doing without any one of these basic needs would have detrimental consequences?
 
For millions of people in our country making this difficult decision is a reality! Parents are trying to provide for their families and senior citizens are struggling to survive on limited incomes. They may cut back on food, skip meals, reduce food portions or water down food. Persistent hunger can cause fatigue, trouble concentrating and have a negative impact on their health. This shouldn't be happening and it doesn't have to!
 
FHFH has been proving nutritious venison and livestock at no cost to food banks, food pantries and feeding ministries in local communities across our nation since 1997. FHFH and the organizations serving people in need can make the difference between someone going hungry or having an adequate amount of food to be healthy and productive. 

A priest once told FHFH Founder Rick Wilson, "You're not just feeding hungry people.  You're saving people's lives!"  The priest explained that his ministry brought people in off the streets on the coldest nights and gave them a warm meal. The support of FHFH helped his ministry and that some of the people would die if they remained out in the cold.
 
You can help provide food for someone who is hungry and you may even save a life! By donating deer or livestock, or giving a financial gift to FHFH you are helping people in communities across our country who are experiencing difficult circumstances. Together, we can help end hunger and make a better future for everyone!
  
Thank you for your continued interest in our mission of feeding the hungry.​

Due to the concern surrounding the outbreak of Coronavirus COVID-19 and efforts to slow down the spread of the virus facilitated by group gatherings, FHFH decided to postpone the Maryland Benefit Banquet and Auction originally scheduled for Friday, March 13th in Hagerstown. At this time it is too early to know whether a new date will be available in the next several months. If not, we will look ahead to the second half of the year.

Individuals who have purchased tickets may decide to: (1) keep the tickets for use at the rescheduled banquet, (2) have the purchase price converted to a donation and receive a tax receipt, or (3) request a refund of their ticket purchase amount. This can be handled by calling FHFH at 301-739-3000 or emailing us.

We appreciate your understanding and we pray for a swift resolution to this major public health concern!

The Blind of Delmarva located in Mardela Springs, Maryland is a small food pantry with a big goal of delivering food to those who cannot access a regular food pantry. Joan Mitcheil, who administers it says, “Our volunteers feed around 40 families and we operate on a shoestring. When given the opportunity of donated venison, I called everyone to see who wanted ‘deer burger.’ Everyone did! They look forward to it now.” Donald, who had a hip replacement, said he no longer hunts but relies on FHFH donations. Jackie said her chili is no good without venison. With the price of donated meat escalating at the Maryland Food Bank, having donated venison from FHFH has made a huge difference in our ability to provide meat to our hungry people. It is a real blessing. Here on the Lower Shore deer meat is a staple.