The giant of Africa, Nigeria might be known for a lot of bad things based on what has been portrayed on television.
With the economic situation that’s rocking the nation and making life unbearable still lies the good virtues of this great nation.
We are known as an oil-producing country, with nations like the United states, spain and india buying our crude oil- an event that should have plunged us into vast exponential growth with visible forms of infrastructure. However, reverse is the case.
Though our current state has been blamed on bad leadership, the Nigerian spirit still lingers with hope.
Well, this is not a piece about how poorly the country has done in time past. Rather, this is to show you that despite dragging our feet on doing better there are still things in Nigeria that makes the country stand out.
Nigeria boasts a rich culinary heritage that reflects the country’s diverse cultures and traditions. From mouth-watering soups to hearty rice dishes, the country’s cuisine offers a delightful array of flavors and textures that cater to various palates.
Let’s have a look at the traditional culinary delights of Nigeria:
Nigerian cuisine has been shaped by a blend of indigenous ingredients and external influences over centuries. The country’s agricultural abundance, with resources like the River Niger and tropical fruits, has played a significant role in shaping its culinary landscape. Various spices and the techniques employed to cooking makes every dish outstanding.
From the east we have Ofe-nsala, Olubu, Isi ewu etc., from the North we have Masa, Kilishi etc., from the south we have banga soup and Amala and ewedu from the west.
If we go deeper to the minority groups that make up the nation we have the efik and ibibio serving their local dish of Ayan ekpang, edikang ikong, the Ikwere people of Rivers state eat nonu and mgbam while the ebira’s from Kogi state are known for apapa.
As though not enough, Nigerian cuisine features an array of staple ingredients that form the foundation of many dishes. Peppers, okra, black pepper, meat, eggs, fish, rice, plantains, are commonly used in Nigerian cooking.
These ingredients not only add depth of flavor but also reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Nigerian gastronomy.
Like every ocassion that is accompanied with something of distinct feature; like a signature. The Nigerian cuisine have dishes that are popularly revered.
We have ogbono soup made from African wild mango seeds, egusi soup prepared with melon seeds, gbegiri and ewedu made from beans and jute leaf, jollof rice flavored with local seasonings and peppers, plantains served as a versatile ingredient for both savory and sweet dishes to mention but a few.
These dishes showcase the unique blend of flavors and textures that define Nigerian cooking.Whether you’re looking to spice up your cooking or just do it the regular way, the Nigerian cuisine is always salivating.
If you’re Nigerian keep the Nigerian spirit going by continually cooking and savouring the sweetness that accompanies the Nigerian dish. And if you’re not Nigerian, I encourage you to try a Nigerian dish today!
