Originally published in The Downtown Journal.
Shahiya Chutney is a Minneapolis-based company that blends powerful Ethiopian flavors to create an exceptionally unique hot sauce. Owners Zahra Ismael and her son Ibrahim Mohamed bring their family recipe to downtown Minneapolis for the Mill City Farmers Market every Saturday.
Shahiya Chutney, like the market, is working to create a community based on diversity, sustainability and strong communal values.
As a family that comes from a diverse background, we appreciate quality, beautiful and appetizing foods,” explains Ibrahim. “The integrity of our products comes from decades of traveling and influences from eastern traditions. With a Turkish, Greek, Amharic and Oromo (Ethiopian) background, we create a unique hot sauce.”
Ibrahim, who works as an urban farmer throughout the week, is able to source many of the ingredients in their small-batch hot sauce, or chutney, from local Minnesota farmers. Shahiya Chutneys also include some ingredients, such as berbere, made by family in Ethiopia where it is more flavorful. Ultimately, Ibrahim and his mom are hoping to replicate and make their own berbere here in Minneapolis using traditional methods.
Shahiya Chutney, which comes in traditional hot, green mild and a variety of seasonal flavors like turmeric and gooseberry maple, can be incorporated into sauces and dressings or substituted for hot sauce in your favorite recipes.
You can find Shahiya Chutney at the Mill City Farmers Market, 704 S. 2nd St., 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturdays.