Ghana’s historic variety of ethnic teams performs an enormous function within the Ghanaian meals of right now, making it effectively value exploring via journey. Conventional Ghanaian meals has a number of key elements, sometimes starches like yam and cassava, that pop up in a number of methods. These starches typically take the type of swallows (a gentle starchy dough eaten together with your arms) generally served with hearty stews or lighter soups. When introduced collectively, you find yourself with belly-filling meals full of 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 discuss jollof rice! Variations of the dish unfold throughout West Africa, with each nation claiming to have the perfect model. Whereas that’s finally down to non-public tastes, one factor we will verify is that Ghanaian jollof rice is at all times part of that dialog. At virtually any event, celebration, or occasion 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 fluctuate relying on the prepare 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 have now 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 received’t should look laborious to search out it in Ghana, however it’s one which deserves respect.
Regardless of its humble look and standing as a facet, numerous labour goes into fufu’s preparation. Created from cassava, and typically combined with plantain or different root greens, the dough is fashioned by boiling root greens and pounding them with a pestle and mortar. Water is step by step 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 typically take the lead in Ghanaian meals and okra soup isn’t any exception. The first ingredient is (spoiler alert!) okra, typically referred to as girl’s fingers, a inexperienced vegetable with a singular viscous texture when cooked. The soup is historically made with beef and fish however typically consists of shellfish, leafy greens, or poultry. Whatever the variant, the elements 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 a bit of 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 broadly West Africa) pepper is used to discuss with chilis and spice. Shito is served throughout Ghana and even offered in markets and outlets. Nevertheless, the shito you might be 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 totally different ranges of spice to shito, however it’s the condiment of alternative for nearly any dish in Ghana.
Waakye: Rice and beans
A mix 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, however it isn’t an overwhelming one. Waakye is a flexible facet that may be paired with virtually the whole lot together with eggs, fish, and meat. It’s universally common and you’ll typically discover it as a takeaway meal wrapped in a banana leaf.
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Kenkey: Fermented maize dumplings
Right here we have now 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 a bit of little bit of planning to arrange. Fermented maize is wrapped and boiled leading to a dumpling with an virtually sourdough-like flavour. It’s sometimes 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 may’t go to Ghana and never attempt Ghanaian bean stew. Also known as ‘crimson crimson’, it’s a heartwarming and very common dish — particularly when paired with gari (a powder constituted of cassava root). This stew will get its identify from the black-eyed beans turning crimson when cooked in palm oil. It may be a meal by itself or served with facet dishes like kelewele, eggs, or some variation of rice. For vegans or vegetarians, this one’s for you as regardless of the place you might be in Ghana you could find it.
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Kelewele: Spiced fried plantains
A snack, a facet dish, or extra, kelewele is no matter you need it to be. As with numerous Ghanaian meals, simplicity goes a great distance when achieved proper. Kelewele is basically a fairly primary dish of fried plantains. What makes it so iconic isn’t one thing revolutionary like a particular frying approach, it is the common-or-garden mixture of spices seasoning the plantain earlier than frying. This elevates the fried plantain into one thing luxurious with out a lot additional effort.
Tuo Zaafi: A signature of Northern Ghana
This swallow won’t be in every single place, however in case you do come throughout tuo zaafi you’re in for a deal with. Also referred to as ‘TZ’, it’s mostly present in Northern Ghana and constituted of maize or millet flour cooked right into a easy, thick porridge. Comparable in texture when totally cooked to fufu, it’s barely softer and its extra muted flavour pairs effectively with a wide range of soups and stews.
Style it for your self on: West African Journey: Highlights of Ghana, Togo, & Benin
Nkatie: Peanut or groundnut brittle
This could be the primary candy entry on the listing however don’t sleep on nkatie. It is available in many shapes however it’s most similar to peanut brittle. Made utilizing peanuts or groundnuts coated in caramelized sugar, it’s liked by youngsters and adults alike and generally offered by road distributors.
Bofrot: The all-day breakfast donut
There is no method we might go away bofrot off this listing. It’s a donut constituted of flour, sugar, yeast, and a touch of nutmeg. Offered 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 multiple.
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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 precise occasion the dish could be constituted of a distinct 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 elements in Ghanaian meals can translate into a variety of dishes.
Wasawasa: A singular tackle yam
Final however not least, you need to 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 constituted of dried yam peelings floor into flour. The flour is steamed to create a dish with a couscous-like texture that’s sometimes served with a spicy pepper sauce and fried fish.
