Yams, cocoyams and sweet potatoes are popular in Nigeria. Ah, those yams, also called isu. The image we, as Americans, conjure up when we think of yams is not the same as Nigerian yams. These yams can grown up to 7 feet long and weigh approximately 150 pounds. They have three (3) types of yams: white, yellow, and ‘water yams’ (Gourmet). There are numerous ways to prepare and serve this abundant Nigerian food staple. However, they must be cooked, otherwise they a

Nigerians also fry their yams. White or yellow yams are cut up into long thin squares and fried in vegetable oil or palm oil (Lipman). This is usually eaten by itself or occasionally as a side dish. Another dish is ojojo. This dish consists of cut up water yams that are fried in vegetable oil or palm oil. This dish is also usually eaten on its own(Recipes). Asaro is white or yellow yams peeled, sliced, and diced into small cubes, then cooked with ground tomatoes, peppers, sometimes meat, other spices, and comes out reddish in color (Recipes). Ikokore is similar to asaro, but it is made with different yams. Yes, there are different forms of yams! The water yam is softer in texture and, when cooked, it usually comes out a brownish color. Iyan (pounded yams) is usually served with soup. This meal is peeled yams that are ground up on a mortar. This powder is then placed into boiling water until it has a thick smooth structure (Gourmet). The final popular yam dish is amala. It is made from yams, but first, the yams are ground and dried to form a powder. This powder is then put into boiling water, and stirred and/or beaten until it has a thick smooth structure. The cooked product ends up being very dark brown in color. It is usually served with soup.

Other snacks include: puff puff, chin chin, sausage rolls, and meat pies. Puff-puffs are made from deep frying a dough mixture into circular balls. It is also sometimes dipped in sugar. Chin chins are kneaded dough that is rolled flat, then cut into small squares, and fried in oil (Imoisi). The sausage rolls are simply cooked sausage that is rolled up in a pastry and baked in an oven (Recipes). The meat pies are seasoned meat, potatoes and other vegetables and placed in a pastry. It is then baked (Imoisi).

Ogedge, or plaintain, often accompanies rice dishes. It is similar to a banana, just a little bigger. Dodo is sliced or diced plantains, fried in vegetable oil and is served with eggs, rice, beans or by itself (Imoisi). Boli can be served with the same above-mentioned foods. It is prepared by baking a whole plantain in the oven.

Some topics in this essay:
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