blatjang, noun
- Forms:
- Show more Formerly also blaatgham, blatcham, blatchang.
- Origin:
- Afrikaans, MalayShow more Afrikaans, from Malay belachan a shrimp and fish condiment.
- Note:
- It is probable that in late 19th century Afrikaans this word still had two meanings: A. Pannevis’s Afskrif van Lys van Afrikaanse Woorde en Uitdrukkings (1880) defines ‘Bladjang’ as being made of dried chillies and stewed dried apricots in vinegar; H.C.V. Leibbrandt’s Het Kaapsch Hollandsch (1882) lists ‘Balachan’ and ‘Blatchong’, both with the same meaning as the Malay belachan; and the Woordelijst van het Transvaalsch Taaleigen (1890) includes ‘Blatjang’, defined as ‘een zeker gerecht’ (a certain dish).
A tangy sauce made of dried fruit (usually apricots) and chillies cooked in vinegar; chutney. Also attributive.
1890 A.G. Hewitt Cape Cookery 86Cape Blatcham. 1 lb. of chillies, 1 table spoonful salt, ½ lb. almonds...Mix all the ingredients and boil in 3 bottles of vinegar to the required consistency.
1988 F. Williams Cape Malay Cookbk 61Malay blatjang is essentially a tangy chilli sauce...This traditional blatjang should not be confused with ordinary chutney.
A tangy sauce made of dried fruit (usually apricots) and chillies cooked in vinegar; chutney. Also attributive.
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