Photo: geishaboy500

One of the South African delicacies that hasn’t transplanted as well overseas (unlike biltong, boerewors and rooibos, which can be found anywhere a number of South Africans congregate), is vetkoek.

This could be because it sounds rather nasty when you try to describe it. Eating vetkoek is another matter entirely – it’s extremely tasty and moreish – but let’s just say it’s not the healthiest treat you could indulge in.

Vetkoek (pronounced FET-cook) is a traditional Afrikaner pastry. The dough is deep-fried in oil and then either filled with cooked mince, or jam (sometimes syrup or honey). Similar in some ways to a no-hole doughnut, vetkoek (which literally translates to ‘fat cake’) is made from flour, salt and yeast.

You might come across a close relative of the vetkoek, the magwenya, if you visit a township in Gauteng – but these are served with a piece of snoek fish. Keep your eyes open for a vetkoek or magwenya while you travel the country for the World Cup… It’s a 100% South African snack.