<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
I am including the responses I got to my question.
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Sorry I don't know specifically about Mozambique. I spent a week in
Ethiopia recently and had no problems. Their main food is a flat pancake
called injera which is made from a grass called teff. Teff is certainly GF
so I only had to watch out for the things that they put on top of the
injera. We were in one location with translation, so I was able to work out
with the cooks what I could and couldn't eat. Hope it goes well for you.
Sorry I don't know anything specific to M.
Caulene
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Ground Corn is the staple with meat, fish, tomatoes, onions, cabbage. If you
stay away from usual baked goods, you're pretty safe. (if you're eating what
the locals eat) If you are in tourist places (not many) or in restaurants
then you're just going to have to ask. Very little is manufactured so if
someone says there is no flour in it, then you are pretty safe.
The Pick n' Pay grocery in Nelspruit (SA) near the border of SA and
Mozambique makes fresh GF bread in their bakery. At least they did in '96.
If your flying into Johannesburg, you will drive through Nelspruit on your
way to Maputu. Nelspruit is about 4.5 hours from Jo'burg and about 2 hours
from Maputu. N. American summer is a great time to go. It is very Hot and
Humid in that part of Africa, and with the seasons being opposite, you will
be very comfortable, and a little on the cool side at night.
Good Luck
Ross
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How wonderful for you! The only time I was there was in 1982 when the
border was first opened and economic conditions were very bad. The good
news (no pun intended) about living in that part of the world is that the
growing season is quite long. There should be lots of fresh fish in
Mozambique - I hope you like fish. Lots of fresh vegetables. Oranges and
grapefruit grew in Swaziland. There was also a DelMonte pineapple
plantation. I don't know how much is exported to Mozambique. The natives
grow corn, which is a staple. (I lived in Swaziland from '80 - '82.) Once
you find out what "real" tree-ripened avocados taste like, you'll never eat
one in the US. Tree-ripened papayas, and bananas. If you have them in your
yard, you need to make sure you can pick them when you want, or your
neighbors may help themselves. Nobody makes scrambled eggs like the
homestead mothers. Hopefully you will have refrigeration - even a little
bit. Also a store where you can buy meat that has been refrigerated. I
suspect a lot has changed in the past 20 years, but the cooking was very
straight forward. You may want to watch out for curry. I don't know what
all is in it.
I don't know how long you plan to be there, but if you stick to plain meats,
fruits, and vegetables, you should be OK. You can expect to see grilled
goat, impala (like deer), warthog, and lamb. You can always ask them to
show you how they make something. Most Africans are very friendly - the
level of friendliness is dependent upon their tribal customs. Be sure to
NEVER use your left hand - always use your right hand to reach for things,
shake hands, etc. Also, keep your hands in plain sight. Smelling food in a
pot is also not appropriate.
Enjoy yourself!
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Dear Matt,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
I just came upon your posting and thought I'd answer you about being Celiac
in Mozambique. We spent the summer on Mozambique where my husband is
working. We have a daughter who is 19 years old and a celiac. In general she
didn't have much of a problem eating out. We carried a restaurant card in
Portuguese which was pretty helpful (except when the restaurant staff
couldn't read at all.) English works ok, too, at more upscale restaurants-of
which there are many.
There was no availability of bread products of any kind in Mozambique, but
there are rice crackers to be found. Also we were able to find rice noodles.
_____________________________________________
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Senior Digital Hardware Engineer
QSC Audio Products INC. | (714) 957-7149
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