Diri Kolé Ak Pwa

Diri kolé ak pwa, “rice stuck with peas”, also called national rice, is the Haitian national dish. It is the Haitian version of the red beans and rice found throughout the Caribbean and Creole region, and in Latin America. The dish is often called diri kole ak pwa wouj, wouj meaning “red” in Haitian Creole. When mixed, rice and beans form a complete protein dish. A true Haitian classic, diri ak pwa can be found everywhere on the island, and as the Haitians say: “a meal is not a meal without an accompaniment of rice and beans”. Haitians often serve this rice dish with lots of sauce, and accompany it with chicken, goat, beef, or red snapper, and with tomatoes and onions. In more rural areas, corn is often preferred to rice, and mayi moulen (corn meal) is more common. A staple of Haitian cuisine based on corn semolina with a very fine and low-fat creamy texture, it’s often accompanied by sòs pwa (pea sauce), the red pea sauce par excellence. This is also called sos pwa wouj in Haitian Creole, and is one of the three most famous pea sauces in Haitian cuisine. It is the favored essential sos (sauce) that’s made with red, black and white peas. Diri ak pwa is an exceptionally nutritious dish because rice is rich in starch and contains iron, B vitamins and protein, while beans also contain iron and more protein than rice.