Anambra News
5 Popular Nnewi Delicacies.
Nnewi, the second largest city in Anambra state, is also well known for some wonderful Igbo foods. Igbo food is one of the most diverse cuisines in the world.
Nnewi is a big city accommodating a lot of other Igbo brothers because it is the city of motorcycles and the heart of Motorcycles spare parts trade in Africa.
Other communities or cities in Igbo land maybe enjoying same food but Nnewi makes it in a special kind of way, which makes theirs stand out.
Some of these foods may include;
Ofe onugbu (Bitterleaf Soup)
Ofe onugbu is a traditional soup very popular to Nnewi People. It’s made with a combination of bitterleaf, cocoyam paste, red palm oil, dried fish, beef and tripe, crayfish, seasoning cubes, and a traditional seasoning called ogiri igbo. The ingredients are simmered in water over in a covered pot until the cocoyam lumps dissolve and the other ingredients develop a tender consistency.
The soup shouldn’t be too thick, so it’s recommended to add more water if ofe onugbu thickens too much. It also shouldn’t be bitter, so bitterleaf should be well washed and squeezed before cooking, and the water in the soup should also be changed until there’s not a trace of bitterness left.
Nnewi people does not joke about this particular soup as they pride in the soup originating from them and so, they always ensure to make it properly and excellently too.
Visitors to Nnewi too have marveled at the art of carefully turning a very bitter leaf to one of the best local dishes they have come across.
Th least, every well bred Nnewi woman can do is to properly know how to cook Ofe Onugbu.
Nkwobi
Nkwobi is a popular Igbo delicacy prepared from spiced cow leg marinated in a richly flavoured sauce of Utazi leaves and palm oil. For people looking to have a nice outing, a meal you can take as the African equivalent of an appetizer would either be – pepper soup and a dessert could be Nkwobi. You’ll likely find them well served at Nnewi kitchens, bars and Restaurants.
Most Nnewi indigenes and residents who are now accustomed to outings every weekend to unwind from the stress from the previous week, would be found on such days reclining in bar chair at late evenings enjoying Nkwobi with bottles of beer and different other drinks.
Every joint and restaurant knows better to properly prepare theirs to be exceptional.
It is being served to important men at events too, like weddings, naming ceremonies, business openings etc.
Abacha and Ugba
Abacha is a popular cassava dish native to the Igbos and served throughout Igbo land in eastern Nigeria. Abacha can be eaten as a starter or a full meal served with dry fish or ponmo (cow skin)
African salad is eaten amongst the Eastern tribe of Nigeria. Made with dried shredded cassava in a creamed palm oil sauce, paired with fried fish, cow foot, and garden eggs.
Abacha and ugba is a staple food in Nnewi. Old and young enjoys it a lot, as such, it is seen everywhere, markets, school gates, churches, hospital gates etc.
Oha Soup
This soup is made with the leaves of a tree called oha. Ora soup is often prepared using cocoa-yam, egusi or ofor as the thickener.
Oha soup, or ofe ora as the Indigenous Igbo people of Nigeria call it, is packed with protein and a copious amount of leafy greens. For a filling meal, enjoy it with a smooth log of pounded yam or fufu.
This soup is popular amongst Nnewi people. As such, the leaves are easily found in local markets tied up in little bundles for interested customers. It is always within reach.
BangaSoup(OfeAkwu)
Banga Soup is a powerhouse across the Niger Delta people of Southern Nigeria, an institution of its own. It is prepared from delicious palm fruit broth and then steamed in the most succulent meat options and disturbances like shaki, stock fish, dry fish, goat meat, beef etc. It is the perfect partner to many swallow meals.
It is a staple food in Nnewi families. It is accompanied with rice, in most cases and sometimes with swallow. It is always best enjoyed warm, as when it gets cold, the palm oil emulsifies, thereby giving it a sour taste.
Nnewi is proudly known for many more Igbo dishes. This is not solely because they are Igbo. It is because these particular dishes, they spend a great amount of care and show off great expertise while cooking it.
Any endearing man, who has a doting Nnewi wife, good in the kitchen, enjoys most of these superb delicacies on daily basis.
