pounded yam

File:Iyan & Efo-Riro (7370530836).jpg

Pounded yam ({{langx|yo|Iyán}}, {{langx|ha|sakwara}}, {{langx|ig|Utara-ji}}) is a Nigerian swallow or Okele food.{{Cite web |last=Osinkolu |first=Author Lola |date=2019-06-13 |title=Pounded Yam |url=https://cheflolaskitchen.com/pounded-yam/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Chef Lola's Kitchen |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Oyibo |first=Emmanuel |date=2020-04-15 |title=Top 20 Nigerian Foods That Will Blow Your Taste Buds |url=https://www.chefspencil.com/top-20-nigerian-foods/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Chef's Pencil |language=en-US}} It is commonly prepared by pounding boiled yam with mortar and pestle{{Cite web |date=2022-01-29 |title=How To Make Pounded Yam – Old Fashioned Pounded Yam With Pestle And Mortar |url=https://theonlinecook.com/how-to-make-pounded-yam-old-fashioned-pounded-yam-with-pestle-and-mortar/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=The Online Cook |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Damola |first=Karo-Dare |title=The vanishing pounded yam |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/the-vanishing-pounded-yam/ |work=TheNation}} Pounded yam is similar to mashed potatoes but heavier in consistency. It is a smooth delicacy eaten with the hands.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Chef's Pencil |title=Pounded Yam Recipe |url=https://www.chefspencil.com/recipe/pounded-yam/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Chef's Pencil |language=en-US}}

Pounded Yam commonly known as Ìyàn among Yoruba People, Akpu among the South Eastern Nigeria is consumed in Ondo State, Ijesha, Kogi State, Okun, Edo, Benue and Ekiti in Nigeria, among others. It can be served with egusi soup, jute leaves soup (ewedu), stewed spinach (efo riro) or okra soup, Ofe Akwu (palmnut soup), Ofe Nsala (white soup).{{Cite web |title=Best Egusi Soup And Pounded Yam Recipes |url=https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/egusi-soup-and-pounded-yam/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Food Network Canada |language=en-CA}}

Preparation

It is prepared by pounding boiled yam with mortar and pestle, Yam grinder, food processor and Mixer {{Cite news |last=Damola |first=Karo-Dare |title=The vanishing pounded yam |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/the-vanishing-pounded-yam/ |work=TheNation}}{{Cite web |last=Sanusi |first=Ayobami |date=2024-06-22 |title=No mortar and pestle? Check out 3 simple ways to make pounded yam |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/no-mortar-and-pestle-check-out-3-simple-ways-to-make-pounded-yam/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB}}

Type of yam

The type of yam used for pounding yam is the African yam also known as puna yam, true yam or white yam.{{Cite web |last=Osinkolu |first=Lola |date=2021-08-27 |title=YAM {{!}} TRUE YAM {{!}} AFRICAN YAM |url=https://cheflolaskitchen.com/true-yam-african-yam/ |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=Chef Lola's Kitchen |language=en-US}} The texture of Africa Yam is rough with brown skin and off-white flesh with its length similar to regular potatoes up to five feet long.

File:Nigeria yam2.jpg, Nigeria}}]]

Puna yam is a makeup/cash crop available all year round unlike other crops that are seasonal. African yam is rich in carbohydrates and calories. {{Citation |title=Paper, board and pulps. Determination of acid-soluble magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, sodium and potassium |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3403/30198875 |publisher=BSI British Standards |doi=10.3403/30198875 |access-date=2022-05-15|url-access=subscription }}

Varieties of soup for pounded yam

File:Egusi soup with vegetables and dried catfish, prawns, beef and roasted cowskin.jpg

File:Banga Soup (Freshly Cooked).jpg

Pounded yam is eaten with okro soup, ẹ̀fọ́ rírò, banga soup (ofe akwu), ogbono and gbẹ̀gìrì soup.{{Cite web |last=Afrolems |title=Efo Riro and Pounded Yam Recipe - Food.com |url=https://www.food.com/recipe/efo-riro-and-pounded-yam-499527 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.food.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=10 Most Popular Nigerian Soups |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-soups-in-nigeria |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.tasteatlas.com}}

Pounded Yam Variations

A variation of the pounded Yam peculiar to Ile-Ife is known as Iyan Gbere. This version of the dish incorporates the use of the African breadfruit (Treculia africana){{Cite web |last=Olufunke |date=2021-07-17 |title=Nigeria’s medicinal plants: Artocarpus altilis (Gbere) |url=https://punchng.com/nigerias-medicinal-plants-artocarpus-altilis-gbere/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}} To prepare Iyan Gbere, the African breadfruit is first cooked until it is soft. It is then pounded or blended to create a smooth, dough-like consistency. This breadfruit paste is combined with the traditional yam paste used in Iyan to create a unique, flavorful dish.{{Cite web |title=HISTORY OF IFEWARA – IPOB ONTARIO |url=https://ipobontario.ca/history-of-ifewara/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |language=en-US}} {{Cite web |last=AdminTO |date=2017-04-30 |title=Ifewara: Yoruba town where diabetics are rare |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/ifewara-yoruba-town-diabetics-rare/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB}}

Iyan Gbere is served with Nigerian soups, such as Egusi or Okra soup. The addition of the African breadfruit gives the dish a distinct taste and nutritional profile, making it a favorite among the locals in Ife.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-04-27 |title=Ile-Ife, the city of culture |url=https://guardian.ng/features/ile-ife-the-city-of-culture/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}