My childhood, which circulated around Nigeria, a state in the Western African region, was filled with numerous adventures and one of them was growing up in Enugu state, a southern state of the Igbo tribe. One cannot talk about culture and skip the cuisine aspect. Food is such an inevitable and significant aspect in the form of culture. “Item 7”is its coined nickname on the agenda pamphlet when attending a big ceremony: wedding, baptizing, wake keep etc.
Translocating over 5000 miles to the United States has made me cognizant of the meals that my mind can only recall eating in Nigeria. In short, it is very native to the Western African region. This article centers on the top five Nigerian snacks that could make cranky soul sing to pure delight.
1. Abacha
Ever heard of the “African salad”? Well folks, this is it. This delicacy is very popular in the eastern parts of Nigeria. It is made from dried, shredded cassava and fermented oil bean seeds (Ugba/Ukpaka). It appears yellow when served, no doubt due to the palm oil used in the cooking, but it is usually supplemented with sliced ring onions, some vegetables, fried fish or pomo meat (Cow skin). They are sold from small kiosks or hawked on the streets. This meal is also known with the power to bring world peace and sustainability to people (just kidding, but my stomach feels peaceful and sustained). If you visit Nigeria, please do me a favor and try this. You will not regret it.
2. Okpa
Okpa is the music one wakes up to when their family lived close to a busy, market road, Road 8.“Gote okpa, okpa di oku, okpa, okpa, okpa ohhhh.”Translation: Buy Okpa, Warm/hot Okpa, okpa, okpa, okpa, okpa ohhh. This is the high pitch mantra, from the female hawkers, I remember waking up to in my teens. The hawkers carried a humongous rice bag filled with more than 200 okpas, on a big circular traypan, while singing with the load on their head or on a wheelbarrow. Okpa is made from a specific type of bean known as the Bambara beans (AllNigerianRecipes) and it is wrapped and served in dry banana/plantain leaves or small transparent bags called “waterproof” bag. The “okpas” are ensconced in a conical form on a daily basis. Okpa should seriously be considered for one of the top 10 happiest snack in the world. It will not lead you astray.
3. Akara balls and Akam/Pap
In my opinion, this is the most basic of all basic breakfast in Nigeria. Its English name is called Bean cake because it is made from beans without its coat because the beans are soaked overnight. It is fried with vegetable oil like in the picture below. Few people will agree that akara is incomplete without akamu; both were never meant to be caught in a divorce. Akamu or akam for short are made from wet corn starch. It normally comes in a block structure that is melted in cool water then boiled water is added, which causes it to have a viscous, thickened texture.
4. Suya
This is a popular snack that stems from the Hausa tribe in Nigeria. It is meat that is chopped into small sizes that are roasted on fire; our very own kebab. The roasted meats includes but not limited to: beef, chicken, goat/nama, chicken, etcetera, etcetera. It is one of the known spiciest dishes in the entire Western African nation because the meat is marinated with dried pepper and other assorted spices. It is considered street food because they can be found roasting over a fire grill at the corner by the Hausas/Aboki. Onions are normally mixed in the suya preparation to add flavor and traditionally wrapped in a newspaper.
5. Eggrolls
This is an eggroll, literally. Boiled egg ensconced with flour dough. It is not the same like the elongated spring rolls. Neither is the taste. It is a basic and common snack among primary pupils who go to school. People who love eggs in general would not let an offer like this pass them.
And that's a wrap. Those are the meals/snack I hope to see its numbers skyrocket in the United States. Seriously people, these meals can change the market of tomorrow for better.
