Egusi Soup 🍲

Egusi soup is a beloved Nigerian dish made from ground melon seeds. It is rich, flavorful, and deeply rooted in our culture.Egusi soup is a rich, flavorful West African soup made from ground melon seeds (egusi), leafy vegetables, and proteins like meat or fish, known for its thick, creamy texture and nutty taste, often served with starchy "swallow" foods like fufu or pounded yam. It's a staple across Nigeria (Igbo/Yoruba) and other West African countries, with variations in ingredients like pumpkin leaves (ugu), spinach, bitter leaf, and different spices

This soup is enjoyed across Nigeria and represents family, tradition, and togetherness.
A meal is never complete without it!

A bowl of egusi soup

why Egusi

Nutritious: Packed with protein and healthy fats.
Versatile: Can be cooked with beef, fish, or goat meat.
Delicious: Best enjoyed with pounded yam, eba, or fufu.

ingredients

steps

  1. Grind the egusi (melon seeds) into a smooth paste. Wash and slice the ugu (fluted pumpkin) leaves. Clean the beef, roasted fish, and stock fish head (okporoko). Soak the stock fish in warm water until soft, then rinse thoroughly.
  2. Put the beef and stock fish head in a pot. Add two seasoning cubes, salt, and pepper to taste. Add water and cook until the beef becomes tender. Set aside the meat and reserve the stock.
  3. In a clean pot, add the ground egusi and a little water to form a thick paste. Allow it to cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally until it thickens.
  4. Gradually add the meat stock into the egusi while stirring to avoid lumps. Add the cooked beef, stock fish head, and roasted fish.
  5. Add the remaining seasoning cubes, ground crayfish, and additional pepper if needed. Stir well and allow the soup to simmer for 10–15 minutes.
  6. Add the sliced ugu leaves and stir gently. Cook for another 3–5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
  7. Taste the soup and add salt or water if necessary to achieve your preferred thickness.Remove from heat and serve hot with pounded yam, eba, fufu, or any swallow of choice.

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