okpa
{{short description|Nigerian steamed bean pudding}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date = August 2022}}
Okpa (pronounced Ọkpa) is a dish prepared by the Igbo people with a type of beans known as bambara nuts. It is common in Enugu state and Niger state and classified as a traditional Nigerian delicacy. Other ethnic groups also eat it (with pap or alone).{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=2018-10-14 |title=How To Make Okpa |url=https://guardian.ng/life/how-to-make-nigerian-okpa/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} Other Igbo names for okpa include ịgba and ntucha. In Hausa, it is known as gurjiya or kwaruru.{{Cite web |date=2016-07-05 |title=OKPA |url=https://www.thepretendchef.com/okpa/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=The Pretend Chef |language=en-gb}}
The main ingredients in okpa are bambara nut flour, pepper, palm oil and seasoning. It is prepared with pumpkin leaves and scented leaves too.{{Cite web |last=Njideka |first=christiana |date=2024-01-20 |title=How to prepare the popular Okpa meal |url=https://businessday.ng/bd-weekender/culinary-delights-bd-weekender/article/how-to-prepare-the-popular-okpa-meal/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}} Nutritionally, okpa has approximately 16.92% crude protein, 4.93% fat, 26.62% carbohydrate and 216.28 kcal energy value, making it one of the most balanced staples.{{Cite journal |last1=Nwadi |first1=Oluchukwu M.M. |last2=Uchegbu |first2=Nneka |last3=Oyeyinka |first3=Samson A. |date=March 2020 |title=Enrichment of food blends with bambara groundnut flour: Past, present, and future trends |journal=Legume Science |language=en |volume=2 |issue=1 |doi=10.1002/leg3.25 |s2cid=213011345 |issn=2639-6181|doi-access=free }}
Steps to prepare Okpa
- Wash the banana leaves or plantain leaves used to wrap the Okpa.https://web.archive.org/web/20220521073453/https://guardian.ng/life/how-to-make-nigerian-okpa/
- Prepare a mixture of Okpa flour, crayfish, salt, and seasonings in a large bowl. Add quality palm oil and stir with a spatula until you get a reddish-yellow color.https://feed.nircle.com/post/legacy-post/7294-how-to-make-okpa
- Add hot water to the mixture along with blended pepper and mix with a wooden spatula until smooth and soft.https://www.safejourneyfoods.com.au/blogs/recipes/how-to-cook-okpa-di-oku-okpa-wawa-using-bambara-nut-okpa-flour
- Pour the mixture into leaves or small polythene bags.
- After adding water to a pot, place the wrapped Okpa inside and allow it to steam for at least an hour. The Okpa will become firm when fully cooked.
- Serve hot with custard, oatmeal, or pap.https://afrifoodnetwork.com/recipes/okpa/
Gallery
Okpa for sale.jpg
Adeolu segun 26 okpa seller.jpg
Bambara Beans.jpg
Vigna subterranea (4350578751).jpg
See also
References
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