Kapenta is a term for two related species LakeTanganyika sardine (Limnothrissa miodon) and LakeTanganyika sprat (Stolothrissa tanganicae). They are very small, school-forming sweetwater fish found in Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi. The fish is also known as matemba in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. A related but different fish, known as dagaa in Tanzania and omena in Kenya, is the silver cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea), which is found in Lake Victoria. All three species are caught in large quantities and usually sun-dried. Sometimes they are salted before drying at a ratio of 1:12.
In the kitchen kapenta/matemba as well as dagaa/omena are cleaned and washed, then boiled, and afterwards shallow fried with garlic, onions, and tomatoes. Other vegetables, like okra or peppers can be added.
