I must confess that born in Nigeria is a blessing, trust me if anyone told me that I would enjoy the same cuisines I enjoy in Nigeria elsewhere, I will object, cause if it’s not 9ja then it’s nothing.
9ja delicacies are rich with flavoured soups and stew and the oga kpatakpata of them all are the numerous morsel family ranging from Fufu, Amala, Eba, Semo, Tuwo Masara (Corn Flour) among others.
Wait, before you say I am hyping 9ja too much, let me share my top three foods of 9ja that you must try, either on a visit to Nigeria or representing 9ja to the world.
- Fufu
Nobody can take the crown from her head, as she has proven overtime to be the King of swallow. Even though it is made from cassava and undergoes some rigorous process to become certified, I must say every morsekl is worth the while.
The good thing about FUFU is that even our sisters and brothers from across the world can also testify her its wonders. As I write, it is consumed not only in Nigeria but Ghana, other parts of Africa and the world at large.
- Jollof Rice
The success of Naija Jollof rice is one that would be described as a warrior that has conquered many cities. It is one of the richest dish popular in Nigeria, and other parts of Africa. Make your sumptuous Jollof Rice with rice (of course this is a major ingredient), tomatoes, tomato paste, onions, pimento peppers, scotch bonnet peppers, salt, and other spices as it pleases your Royal Highness.
Jollof Rice did not only rise to stardom as a result of its richness, it has also stired up lots of controversies and the overall is the “Jollof war” between Nigeria and Ghana, a heated but friendly debate on which nation makes the best version of this beloved dish.
- Egusi Soup
Egusi soup is considered a national anthem in Nigeria, you hardly find any Nigerian home that does not make this delicacy at least once in a week. With fufu you are good to go trust me.
Egusi refers to the protein-rich seeds of plants like squash, melon, and gourd that when dried and ground become a staple ingredient in many West African and Nigerian foods. One of those dishes is egusi soup.
Egusi soup is a one-pot meal typically made with ground egusi, palm oil, onions, hot peppers, locust beans (iru), African crayfish, stockfish, some type of meat, fish, and leafy vegetables. Other than fufu, it can served with other Nigerian swallow foods like eba, amala, or pounded yam.