Madagascar green pepper duck stew (gana ritra): a traditional recipe with a fair-trade twist
- Matana Québec
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
If you're an epicurean in search of new culinary adventures, this traditional Malagasy dish is for you. Gana ritra, a flavorful duck stew enriched with green peppercorns from Madagascar, offers an exotic experience rooted in community, sustainability, and authenticity.
At the heart of this recipe is a rare and aromatic spice: the dried green pepper of Madagascar, known for its intense fragrance and subtle heat. Through this dish, we invite you to explore the soul of Malagasy cuisine — and the people behind it.
An invitation to culinary discovery
In a world where we seek to eat more responsibly without giving up pleasure, natural spices and ancestral recipes have their place more than ever. This is the case of this typical dish from the Highlands of Madagascar: gana ritra , or “reduced duck”, simmered for a long time with garlic, fresh ginger, and above all, dried green pepper with unique aromas.
A generous, warm dish that tells a story with every bite.
What is Gana Ritra?
A family recipe with deep notes
Gana ritra is a beloved Malagasy recipe featuring duck simmered with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and freshly rehydrated green peppercorns. Its charm lies in its simplicity and bold, comforting flavors. It’s a staple in festive meals, often served with white rice or vary sosoa (Malagasy rice porridge).
What makes this version special? The use of Matana’s fair-trade dried green pepper, carefully sun-dried and packed in Madagascar, then rehydrated to bring out its fresh aroma and mild heat.
The story behind the spice: Madagascar’s green pepper
Grown in the lush highlands and humid coasts of Madagascar, green peppercorns are harvested young and either brined, freeze-dried, or sun-dried. The sun-dried version, like Matana’s, is the purest and most versatile form, ideal for rehydration in hot water before cooking.
Unlike industrial peppercorns, Matana’s green pepper is fair-trade, pesticide-free, and supports small-scale farming cooperatives. Every grain you use helps preserve local biodiversity and ensures dignified income for rural families.
Once rehydrated (15 to 20 minutes in warm water or broth), it regains a tender texture and releases all its aromatic complexity.
It is perfect for:
flavor simmered dishes (like this gana ritra),
enhance a cheese sauce,
surprise in a marinade or a vegetarian dish.
At Matana , we offer 100% natural dried green pepper, without additives, carefully grown by Malagasy producers.
Why choose Matana?
Matana is more than a spice brand — it's a movement. We work directly with Malagasy farmers, ensuring that each product we offer is:
Natural and unprocessed
Fairly sourced and paid
Traceable and ethical
From green pepper to vanilla, turmeric, and pink peppercorns, our collection brings you premium-quality spices that respect both nature and people.
When you cook with Matana, you’re not just seasoning your food — you’re supporting rural communities in Madagascar and Malagasy agricultural heritage still little known in North America.
A taste that gives back
The gana ritra with green pepper from Madagascar is a bit of everything we love about Matana:
✨ raw and natural ingredients,
🍲 a kitchen full of character,
🌿 a short and fair circuit,
🤝 and a direct link between your plate… and those who feed it.
Local epicureans — Try this comforting duck stew and let yourself be transported to the heart of the Indian Ocean. The poivre vert de Madagascar will awaken your senses while the values behind the spice will warm your heart.
Matana, fair trade flavors of Madagascar
At Matana, we believe it's possible to combine taste pleasure with positive impact. We select our spices directly from small Malagasy producers, following a fair trade approach that respects agricultural traditions and ensures fair compensation.
Our dried green peppercorns come from the Manakara region on the east coast, where they are hand-harvested and carefully sun-dried. Each sale supports rural communities, preserves local expertise, and encourages sustainable agriculture on the island.
Buying a Matana spice means supporting a humane, ethical, and transparent agricultural model – while enjoying an exceptional product.
