It’s in the human nature to want to have snacks in between meals or even when one’s not hungry at all, sometimes we’re looking for something to keep our mouths busy. Snacks are also perfect on-the-go when one is on the road or not in the position to cook. Some snacks are processed while others are simple whole foods that take little or no processing. Snacks we’d be looking at today are just a few Nigerian snacks that some of us did not know were healthy.
1. KULI KULI
A snack eaten in both Nigeria and other West African countries. It is made from roasted groundnuts that have been peeled and grounded into a paste and spices for taste. It usually appears in long stripes but can also be formed into different shapes of choice. The key ingredient in this snack is peanuts, it contains a type of fat that is good and heart-healthy. The paste is fried in little oil. It can be eaten alone or served alongside pap or garri.
2. ROASTED /BOILED CORN
Roasted corn is a Nigerian street food that is usually heated on a local grill until it becomes rich brown in colour. It is sometimes sold with roasted African pear or coconut. Boiled corn is corn that has been boiled in salted water until its tender. It can also be eaten with pear. Corn contains carbohydrates, potassium and is a rich source of dietary fibre that aids digestion.
3. DANKWA
This is a peanut flavoured delicacy also called tanfiri because of the spicy taste. It is made from groundnut paste and a spicy corn meal. Millet is also key ingredients of this snack. The corn, groundnut, millet are all grounded to powder and then molded into balls by adding a little oil and water. The mix contains nutrients like carbohydrates, fibre, fat, minerals which provide health benefits like regulating cholesterol levels as well as keeping one’s health healthy. The corn meal reduces cholesterol and good for those watching their weights, aids digestion and protects the heart.
4. YOYO
This snack is pronounced ‘yaw-yaw’. They are lightly battered sprat (a small oily marine fish of the herring family). They are served at parties and are popular coastal cities. The oily fish contain a long chain omega 3 fatty acids which keep the heart healthy and reduce the risk of blood clotting.
5. Boli
Roasted plantain originated from the riverine areas in Nigeria and is a street food in Nigeria. It is only available during the plantain season which is towards the last few months of the year. Both ripe and unripe plantain are roasted because there are some people who prefer the former to the latter. The plantains are peeled and placed on a local grill where they turned until both sides are evenly brown but not burnt. It can be served alone but also with groundnuts. Rice plantain contains nutrients like carbohydrates, dietary fibre and calcium.
Comments