Ghana’s historic variety of ethnic teams performs an enormous function within the Ghanaian meals of right this moment, making it effectively value exploring by means of journey. Conventional Ghanaian meals has a number of key components, usually starches like yam and cassava, that pop up in a number of methods. These starches usually take the type of swallows (a tender starchy dough eaten together with your palms) generally served with hearty stews or lighter soups. When introduced collectively, you find yourself with belly-filling meals filled with punchy flavours and snacks that hold you coming again. So seize your nearest bowl and get your fingers prepared for 13 meals from Ghana to attempt on our travels.
Jollof rice: West Africa’s favorite
Let’s speak about jollof rice! Variations of the dish unfold throughout West Africa, with each nation claiming to have the most effective model. Whereas that’s finally down to non-public tastes, one factor we will affirm is that Ghanaian jollof rice is at all times part of that dialog. At nearly any event, celebration, or celebration in Ghana, jollof rice is on the desk.
The enduring one-pot rice dish begins with tomatoes, garlic, ginger, onion, and chili. That is blended or cooked down right into a sauce that cooks the rice. Spices are added and range relying on the cook dinner, however the result’s a wealthy, spicy rice dish loved alone or as a part of an even bigger meal.
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Fufu: A Ghanaian staple
On the subject of staple meals, subsequent up we now have fufu. This starchy dough falls into the class of swallows and is discovered alongside many meals. The feel is sticky to the contact and it’s used as a vessel to your mouth for stews and soups. You gained’t must look onerous to search out it in Ghana, nevertheless it’s one which deserves respect.
Regardless of its humble look and standing as a aspect, plenty of labour goes into fufu’s preparation. Constructed from cassava, and typically combined with plantain or different root greens, the dough is shaped by boiling root greens and pounding them with a pestle and mortar. Water is progressively added and between blows from the pestle, the combination is hand-turned. When the specified texture is reached, the dough is formed and portioned out.
Okra soup: A textural journey
As talked about, soups and stews usually take the lead in Ghanaian meals and okra soup isn’t any exception. The first ingredient is (spoiler alert!) okra, typically referred to as woman’s fingers, a inexperienced vegetable with a singular viscous texture when cooked. The soup is historically made with beef and fish however typically contains shellfish, leafy greens, or poultry. Whatever the variant, the components are mixed and spiced to create a hearty meal that you’ll crave once more. If paired with fufu or one other swallow, simply put together for slightly nap.
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Shito: Sizzling pepper sauce
The phrase shito comes from the Ga language and actually interprets to ‘pepper’. Within the context of Ghana (and extensively West Africa) pepper is used to check with chilis and spice. Shito is served throughout Ghana and even bought in markets and retailers. Nevertheless, the shito you’re served is extra than simply chili fortunately. It’s a robust sizzling pepper sauce made utilizing dried fish, prawns, onion, garlic, spices and naturally chili. There are completely different ranges of spice to shito, nevertheless it’s the condiment of selection for nearly any dish in Ghana.
Waakye: Rice and beans
A mixture of rice and beans is discovered all over the world, however there is just one waakye. It’s a easy dish mixing rice, beans, and waakye leaf (the leaf of a millet stalk). The leaf provides it a definite color and flavour, nevertheless it isn’t an overwhelming one. Waakye is a flexible aspect that may be paired with nearly all the pieces together with eggs, fish, and meat. It’s universally widespread and you may usually discover it as a takeaway meal wrapped in a banana leaf.
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Kenkey: Fermented maize dumplings
Right here we now have one other swallow with a little bit of a twist as kenkey is exclusive in its preparation. Utilizing a fermented starch as its base means it takes slightly little bit of planning to organize. Fermented maize is wrapped and boiled leading to a dumpling with an nearly sourdough-like flavour. It’s usually served with fish given Ghana’s coastal seafood bounty, or meat paired with sauces like shito.
Ghanaian bean stew (crimson crimson): A comforting traditional
You possibly can’t go to Ghana and never attempt Ghanaian bean stew. Also known as ‘crimson crimson’, it’s a heartwarming and very widespread dish — particularly when paired with gari (a powder made out of cassava root). This stew will get its title from the black-eyed beans turning crimson when cooked in palm oil. It may be a meal by itself or served with aspect dishes like kelewele, eggs, or some variation of rice. For vegans or vegetarians, this one’s for you as regardless of the place you’re in Ghana you could find it.
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Kelewele: Spiced fried plantains
A snack, a aspect dish, or extra, kelewele is no matter you need it to be. As with plenty of Ghanaian meals, simplicity goes a great distance when completed proper. Kelewele is basically a reasonably primary dish of fried plantains. What makes it so iconic isn’t one thing revolutionary like a particular frying method, it is the standard mixture of spices seasoning the plantain earlier than frying. This elevates the fried plantain into one thing luxurious with out a lot further effort.
Tuo Zaafi: A signature of Northern Ghana
This swallow won’t be in every single place, however should you do come throughout tuo zaafi you’re in for a deal with. Often known as ‘TZ’, it’s mostly present in Northern Ghana and made out of maize or millet flour cooked right into a clean, thick porridge. Related in texture when totally cooked to fufu, it’s barely softer and its extra muted flavour pairs effectively with quite a lot of soups and stews.
Style it for your self on: West African Journey: Highlights of Ghana, Togo, & Benin
Nkatie: Peanut or groundnut brittle
This is likely to be the primary candy entry on the listing however don’t sleep on nkatie. It is available in many shapes nevertheless it’s most corresponding to peanut brittle. Made utilizing peanuts or groundnuts coated in caramelized sugar, it’s beloved by kids and adults alike and generally bought by avenue distributors.
Bofrot: The all-day breakfast donut
There isn’t any manner we may depart bofrot off this listing. It’s a donut made out of flour, sugar, yeast, and a touch of nutmeg. Bought throughout Ghana as a well-liked snack, it’s additionally a breakfast staple. Who doesn’t need donuts for breakfast? Be warned, they’re addictive and you’ll eat a couple of.
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Etor (Oto): A festive plantain or yam mash
You’ll discover etor or oto served at particular events starting from naming ceremonies, to birthdays, to weddings. Relying on the particular occasion the dish will be made out of a special starch — both plantain or yam. It’s mashed and combined with palm oil then garnished with peanuts and boiled eggs. Whereas not as simple to attempt as different dishes all through your travels, it’s an instance of how comparable components in Ghanaian meals can translate into a variety of dishes.
Wasawasa: A novel tackle yam
Final however not least, you must attempt wasawasa. Its closest meals relative is couscous however even that doesn’t totally seize its essence. One other dish from Northern Ghana, wasawasa is made out of dried yam peelings floor into flour. The flour is steamed to create a dish with a couscous-like texture that’s usually served with a spicy pepper sauce and fried fish.