When we think of Nigerian cuisine, famous dishes like jollof rice, pounded yam, and suya often come to mind. However, Nigeria's rich culinary heritage extends far beyond these well-known favourites. This blog post will explore some uncommon Nigerian foods that showcase this vibrant country's diverse and flavorful culinary traditions. These uncommon Nigerian foods are delicious and offer a unique glimpse into Nigeria's diverse cultural tapestry.
1. Ofada Rice and Ayamase Sauce
Ofada rice is a locally grown variety native to the southwestern region of Nigeria. It is unpolished, giving it a unique flavour and a slightly sticky texture. Ofada rice is typically served with Ayamase sauce or designer stew. This green pepper sauce is made from green bell peppers, scotch bonnets, onions, locust beans, and assorted meats. The combination of the distinct taste of Ofada rice and the rich, spicy Ayamase sauce creates an unforgettable dining experience.
How to Prepare:
1. Cook the Ofada rice as you would regular rice, but rinse it thoroughly to remove any stones or husks.
2. For Ayamase sauce, blend green bell peppers, scotch bonnets, and onions. Fry in palm oil, then add assorted meats and seasonings. Let it simmer until well-cooked and flavorful.
2. Ekpang Nkukwo
Ekpang Nkukwo is a traditional dish made by southeastern Nigeria's Efik and Ibibio people. It is a highly nutritious and flavorful meal made from grated cocoyam (taro) and water yam, wrapped in cocoyam leaves, and cooked with various meats, fish, periwinkles, and spices. This dish is known for its rich, earthy flavours and is often prepared for special occasions and celebrations.
How to Prepare:
1. Grate cocoyam and water yam mixed with palm oil and seasonings.
2. Wrap small portions in cocoyam leaves and place in a pot.
3. Add a mixture of meats, fish, periwinkles, and spices. Simmer until fully cooked.
3. Ebiripo
Ebiripo is a delicacy from the Ogun state of Nigeria. It is a type of steamed pudding made from grated and fermented cocoyam. The grated cocoyam is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked. Ebiripo is usually served with Egusi soup or any other rich, hearty soup. This dish's unique texture and flavour make it a delightful addition to any meal.
How to Prepare:
1. Grate cocoyam and allow it to ferment slightly.
2. Wrap the mixture in banana leaves and steam until cooked.
3. Serve with a rich soup like Egusi or Ogbono.
4. Edikang Ikong
Edikang Ikong is a traditional vegetable soup from the Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. It is made with fluted pumpkin leaves (Ugu), waterleaf, and assorted meats, fish, and spices. This nutritious soup is often regarded as a "royal" dish due to its richness and the variety of ingredients used. Edikang Ikong is typically enjoyed with pounded yam, fufu, or eba.
How to Prepare:
1. Prepare a base with palm oil, onions, and assorted meats.
2. Add fluted pumpkin leaves and waterleaf.
3. Season and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender and the flavours meld together.
5. Nkwobi
Nkwobi is a spicy cow foot delicacy popular in southeastern Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo people. The cow foot is cooked until tender and mixed with a thick, tangy sauce made from palm oil, ugba (oil bean), potash, and various spices. Nkwobi is often served as an appetizer or a snack in Nigerian restaurants and bars.
How to Prepare:
1. Cook cow feet until tender.
2. Mix with a sauce made from palm oil, ugba, potash, and spices.
3. Serve warm, often as an appetizer.
6. Masa
Masa, also known as Waina, is a traditional Hausa food from northern Nigeria. It is a rice cake made from fermented rice batter, similar to a pancake. Masa is often served with spicy tomato sauce, honey, or suya (spicy grilled meat). The fluffy texture and slightly tangy flavour of Masa make it a versatile and delicious dish.
How to Prepare:
1. Soak and ferment rice, then blend into a batter.
2. Cook the batter in small moulds or a special masa pan.
3. Serve with spicy tomato sauce or suya.
7. Ugba Salad
Ugba, or oil bean salad, is a traditional Igbo dish from fermented oil bean seeds. The seeds are sliced and mixed with sliced onions, fresh pepper, garden eggs, and ugba leaves. Stockfish and kpomo (cow skin) are sometimes added to enhance the flavour. Ugba salad is typically served as a side dish or a light meal.
How to Prepare:
1. Slice fermented oil bean seeds.
2. Mix with onions, pepper, garden eggs, and ugba leaves.
3. Add stockfish and kpomo for added flavour.
8. Abacha
Abacha, also known as African salad, is another popular dish from southeastern Nigeria. It is made from shredded cassava that has been soaked and fermented. The cassava is mixed with palm oil, ugba, garden eggs, crayfish, pepper, and other seasonings. Abacha is often enjoyed as a snack or a light meal, especially during festive occasions.
How to Prepare:
1. Soak and ferment shredded cassava.
2. Mix with palm oil, ugba, garden eggs, crayfish, and seasonings.
3. Serve as a snack or light meal.
9. Afang Soup
Afang soup is a hearty vegetable soup made by the Efik and Ibibio. It is made with Afang leaves (wild spinach), waterleaf, and assorted meats, fish, and periwinkles. The rich and earthy flavours of Afang soup make it a beloved dish among those who appreciate traditional Nigerian cuisine. It is typically served with fufu, pounded yam, or eba.
How to Prepare:
1. Prepare a base with palm oil, onions, and assorted meats.
2. Add Afang leaves and waterleaf.
3. Season and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender.
10. Okpa
Okpa is a steamed pudding made from Bambara groundnuts, a type of legume. It is a popular street food in southeastern Nigeria, particularly in Enugu. The groundnuts are ground into flour and mixed with water, palm oil, and seasonings to form a thick batter, then steamed in banana leaves or plastic wraps. Okpa is known for its unique flavour and dense, cake-like texture.
How to Prepare:
1. Grind Bambara groundnuts into flour.
2. Mix with water, palm oil, and seasonings to form a thick batter.
3. Steam in banana leaves or plastic wraps until cooked.
Conclusion
Exploring these uncommon Nigerian foods offers a delicious adventure into the heart of Nigeria's culinary diversity. Each dish reflects the country's rich cultural heritage and regional specialities, showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of Nigerian cuisine. By incorporating these lesser-known dishes into your diet, you expand your palate and celebrate Nigeria's vibrant and diverse food culture.
Whether you are a food enthusiast looking to try something new or a Nigerian longing for a taste of home, these uncommon Nigerian foods will surely delight and inspire you. Embrace the flavours, textures, and stories behind each dish, and enjoy the culinary journey through Nigeria's hidden culinary gems.